In the face of Age, soar like an eagle

kid
Originally uploaded by neonangel.

i wish i could lay claim to writing this rather nifty little piece but i can't. It is a forwarded email from (of ALL people) my father, the happy agnostic.

recycling the pic of me in my childhood...thought it was a nice reminder of how many years God has brought me through. From silly 3 year old kid to slightly less silly adult of 27. Transformed, renewed, strengthened and scaling new heights every year.

"Eagles are the most long-lived bird in the world. By the time they reach
40 years old, their claws will start to age, losing their effectiveness and
making it hard for them to catch preys.

The lifespan of an eagle is up to 70 years old. But in order to live this long, it must make the toughest
decision at 40. At 40, its beak is too long and curvy that it reaches its
chest. Its wings, full of long, thickened feathers, are too heavy for easy flying.

The eagle is left with 2 choices
- do nothing and await its death
or go through a painful period of transformation and renewal.

For 150 days, it first trains itself to fly beyond the high mountains,build and live in its nest and cease all flying activities. It then begins to knock its beak against granite rocks till the beak is completely removed. When a new beak is grown, the eagle will use it to remove all its old claws and await quietly for new ones to be fully grown.

When the new claws are fully grown, the eagle will use them to remove all
its feathers,one by one. Five months later, when its new feathers are fully
grown, it will soar in the sky again with renewed strength and is able to
live for the next 30 years.

In life, as an individual, in a ministry, even in an organization,sometimes, we have to learn to make difficult decisions so as to make room for changes. Changes bring about renewal. And the only way
for us to soar again is to let go old ways, old habits, old lives. For as
long as we are prepared to put aside our old baggage - past glory or
shame, past success or failure - be willing to become zero, with an empty
cup mentality, we will be able to discover our potential and head towards a renewed perspective in any aspect of our lives.

I am also reminded of Isaiah 40:31 but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

I used to wonder why the Lord would associate those who wait upon him
with the eagle and not other birds like peacocks, chickens or turkeys. It
is only when I read this that I know - God has intended that we should
soar on wings like eagles, run and not be weary, walk and not faint. But
this could only be possible when we hope and wait in Him to renew our
strength and be prepared to be moulded all over again - be zero again, be still again, be quiet again. And the journey of renewal will be painful and it requires an attitude of 5 words - I WANT, I AM WILLING.

Finally, be bold, be strong and soar like an eagle - for the Lord Thy God
is with You."