Eagle's Wings

"You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles wings and brought you to myself."

Exodus 19:4

Have you ever watched an eagle? I mean really observed them. They are so amazing and unique. They're strong. Graceful. Wise. Have you ever watched them fly, soaring above everything surrounding them? Once an eagle has reached a certain altitude it can stop flapping it's wings and simply soar on the wind beneath it. Such a familiar situation to me. I remember a time when I felt as if I had fallen to the bottom of the pit. Life had become so hard to navigate, so tough to manage. It seemed as if I was flapping hard and barely moving. Then I realized that I was trying to do it all in my own strength. So i chose to lean hard on God for everything. That trust in God was the altitude I needed to reach the place where I could soar in Christ. I no longer needed to flap my wings. Christ became the wind lifting me higher. If you're wings are growing tired lean hard on God and soar.

Soaring in Him,

Shauna

Strong Waves... Dim Lights...

How Bright is Your Light? Sunday afternoon Abdias taught a message about living our faith as a lifestyle instead of just wearing it as a label. The message was great but the point that stuck out the most to me was his example of a lighthouse. He painted the picture of us as believers of Christ deeply rooted in our faith, standing firm and tall like magnificent lighthouses. Our lights should be shining bright to guide our loved ones and all those around us safely to the shore. If our lights are dimly lit we leave them prey to a dark sea of fierce tossing waves.

Matthew 5:15-16 tells us,

"You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. (The Message)

When lost souls see us the light of Christ should be so bright that it brings a sense of wonder and curiosity. Their hearts will be drawn to His light like a moth to a flame. I had to take a moment to evaluate my own lighthouse. Have I been hiding my light under a bowl? Leaving my unsaved loved ones shipwrecked and in the dark? Sometimes yes... Sometimes no... But starting today I'm going to "commit my ways to the Lord"!

(Check out Psalms 37:5)

"Commit your ways to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,..."

So I'm going to upgrade my light bulbs! I know as I continue to build healthy spiritual habits, spending time with God, having fellow believers as accountability partners... to help me stay in check :), studying scripture and sharing what I've learned with others, my lighthouse is going to shine much brighter than before... How about yours?

Amping my Light,

-Shauna P.