WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FLY?
The word fly has so many meanings. There are black flies, fruit flies, houseflies and more. As a verb it means to soar through the air like birds or airplanes. We can even fly kites, and there are many colorful ones available today like these my sister-in-law had at the beach:
Fly is the Five Minute Friday word for this week.
I love this passage in Isaiah 40 that uses the metaphor of flying like an eagle:
Isaiah 40:30-31 (CSB)
Youths may become faint and weary,
and young men stumble and fall,but those who trust in the Lord
will renew their strength;
they will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not become weary,
they will walk and not faint.
What does it mean for us to fly like an eagle? Do we actually sprout wings and take off into the open sky?
No, of course not. Then what does it mean? I think it has something to do with our lives in Christ. This may sound counterintuitive, but I think the more we surrender to God the more freedom we have.
For me, I am so much more creative when I don’t worry about things. If I am focused on God and trusting Him for my life, then I am free to create in so many ways.
Following God doesn’t mean obeying a set of rules or sitting around just reading scripture and praying. There is so much freedom within the boundaries that God has given us for living.
Just think of all the skills and talents each person has, and we all have a purpose. We may grow tired and weary or carry burdens that overwhelm us, but as we trust in God He gives us hope and carries us through.
Just as birds of prey swoop down
unexpectedly to grab their quarry,
so trials come to us unannounced
Though we may be laden down
with sorrow, hardly able to endure,
we still can trust in God to give peace
I found this photo on CANVA and thought it went well with this poem I recently wrote and to illustrate soaring like an eagle:
I’m linking up with: #FiveMinuteFriday, #SundayThoughts, #Let’sHaveCoffee, #TellHisStory
Yes! Beautiful poem! I’m over in the 5 spot this week.
Thanks so much, Tara! Blessings to you!
Dear Gayl,
I love your poem and the image of the beautiful soaring eagle! And this really touched me: “There is so much freedom within the boundaries that God has given us for living. ” Especially because I just came from another blog that had set my mind pondering the thoughts of boundaries. Truly, He has “set the boundary lines in pleasant places” within HIs precious love for us. Thank you for this beautiful confirmation today. Love and Hugs to you Dear Friend!
Dear Bettie,
I’m glad you like the poem! The photo isn’t mine – a free one on Canva- but I love it and it fit so perfectly! Yes, His boundaries are for our safety and there is plenty of room to grow and spread our wings. Love and hugs and blessings to you, dear sister! xoxo
Beautiful, inspirational theme portrayed in Scripture and poetry, Gayl! It is indeed, flying that makes us free… xo
Thanks so much, dear Bette! Many blessings to you! xo
Beautiful poem and thoughts!! The accompanying pictures add so much to your post, too! I am just starting to soar again after loss and grief–the ability and freedom to soar again is amazing!
Your FMF neighbor this week!
Thank you so much, Amy. I’m glad you are finding that you can soar again! Blessings to you! I’m glad you stopped by.
Beautiful, Gayl. I love your scrapbooking page especially – “Boundless Prospects” really speaks to me. Surrendering fear to receive a boldness in faith from God. LORD help me do so. Help me move forward in faith. Thank you for this encouragement, Gayl.
Thank you, Anna! Yes, I thought that art page would go well with my post. 🙂 May God help us all to move forward in faith and not be afraid. Blessings and love to you, dear Anna! xoxo
Love the poem!
Thanks, so much, Calleen! Blessings to you!
Hi Gayl,
I really like that you talked about the different meanings of the word fly. I think words are deeper than I realize as I casually use them daily. Thank you for reminding us of the freedom we have in Christ, and how trust spurs our flight.
Hi Lisa!
Yes, it’s easy to just use words and not necessarily think of their other meanings. Thanks so much for visiting and for your encouragement. Blessings to you! xo
Amen! We will soar again! Love this!
Thanks, Karrilee! Blessings to you! xo
Gayl, beautiful photo and poem. Thank you for the encouragement this morning!
Thank you so much, Joanne! I’m glad you were encouraged. Blessings to you!
Love this! We are all meant to fly.
Thank you, Laurie. Yes we are!!! Blessings to you!
I’ll let Henry Lee speak for me; he died a captive of the Japanese in 1944.
I see no gleam of vict’ry alluring,
no hope of splendid booty or of gain.
If I endure, I must go on enduring,
and my sole reward for bearing pain – is pain.
Yet though the thrill, the zest, and the hope are gone,
something within me keeps me fighting on.
“…something within me keeps me fighting on.” Wow! Yes, and I am glad something/Someone within keeps you fighting on. Blessings and love to both you and Barb! It means a lot that you have taken the time to come, read and comment. Thank you, Andrew!
I thought of those verses, too (but didn’t use them in my post). “…the more we surrender the more freedom we have.” Sometimes, the surrender is hard (it can be for me), though it should not be. Thanks for sharing that wisdom, Gayl.
I agree that sometimes the surrender is hard, but when we finally do we find more peace. Thanks for visiting, Prasanta. Blessings to you and have a wonderful week!
Beautiful! Whom the Son sets free is free indeed!
Thank you, Janet! Yes, we are free indeed! Blessings to you and thanks for visiting!
Beautiful post Gayl. Love this verse! There is such freedom when we focus on Christ. He is the One who frees us indeed! I will share with my sister–this is her favorite verse and she could use it today. Blessings to you!
Thank you so much, Amy! Yes, the more we surrender to Him, the more freedom we actually have to become who we were meant to be. I’m glad you can encourage your sister, too, with this verse. Blessings right back to you! Thanks for visiting today!
Beautiful words! I love seeing you at #TellHisStory
Thank you so much, dear Mary! I’m glad you are hosting #TellHisStory. 🙂 Blessings and hugs! xo