You Don't Have to Be an Eagle to Fly

Chapter 2 You May Already Be Flying!

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

We all seem to have a fascination with flying. From the kid with a superman cape jumping off the back of the couch, to the adult with a hang glider or bungee cord jumping off a cliff, we all dream of being birds. Man, what a life, flying around beautiful and free with not a care in the world. Okay, people, have you really looked at a bird's life? Yes, they fly but they also build homes, raise families, hunt for food and get hunted for food! They get wet, cold and tired. We have all heard a variation of "lift your wings and fly" so many times that we feel we need to or we're not doing something right. But have you ever noticed that although they said we should let ourselves fly and that we would love it if we did, they never explain what exactly flying is. You need to take time and really think about what flying means to you because the whole concept they talk about is very vague. Flying was always something I thought I should do, but really I didn't have a clue what it was. I don't care what they say. How can you know if you're doing it if you don't have a clear idea about what flying means? I would get so tied up in trying to fly like they said, that I didn't see all the times God and I did fly! All those good choices I made with God's help... why did I look back at them and wonder what if? Why did I doubt if the choices that I prayed about were really right if I trusted God's promises and enjoyed the results? I'll tell you why -- because they said, if I did it right, I should be rich and above it all. At least that's what I thought they said. Now when I think about it, I was flying the whole time! Flying can be tricky business. First of all, you have to decide what flying means to you. I know you think you know but really think about it...what is flying? Is it freedom, feeling good, peacefulness, bravery... what? Is it success, money, a home and family? Or maybe it's just feeling the wind in your face. I really think it's different for everyone and putting it into words is hard to do. After a lot of thought and study, it makes sense to me that if it's in the Bible, flying must be spiritual. At least that's what it has come to mean to me. It's doing whatever I can where God put me and with what He has given me. Personally, I feel like I'm flying when my spirit is happy and I've done or am doing what God wants me to. It's like the feeling I get every time I see a baby smile or something in nature that just takes my breath away. It feels like when my heart hurts just a little because I'm so blessed with a healthy family or enough material possessions that I can give back to someone in need. So now here is your task for this chapter: study God's word, your heart and your mind. When you really decide what flying is to you, think back over your past and check it out. How many times have you flown without even knowing it? Stop thinking like they said you should and starting using the heart and mind God gave you. You may be flying already!