Do You Want to Be an Eagle or a Chicken?
Eagles are known to fly above storms with a steady
glide. The eagle can remain balanced during a storm because they know how to
rise above uncertain weather patterns. Eagles know when storms are approaching and
they immediately begin to descend higher above the clouds. They don’t wait for
the storm to come and then try and go higher, at that point it would be too
late and they would be caught in the storm by the strong air currents that come
with changing weather. However, above a storm the air is more stable and the
eagle can remain secure and fly more effortless.
When you see an eagle flying they don’t fly in different
directions, and they never fly frenzied. Eagles soar when they fly, which means
they find an air current and ride with the air current, in turn that causes the
eagle to fly straight, smooth, and calmly. The amazing thing about that is they
don’t even have to work by flapping their wings, they let the air current keep
them soaring. Not a lot of effort the eagle has in flying, unlike a seagull
which continually flaps their wings for flight and fly’s in all sorts of
patterns.
Eagles are generally social with their kind. Rarely if
ever will you see an eagle flying around with other birds. Eagles usually stick
with eagles. You will never find an eagle hanging on the ground, unless it is
to quickly gather his prey.
Chickens by contrast are noisy, dirty, and never get
off the ground. In fact, they eat their own poop! Chickens can become quite
hysterical when storms approach, and instead of being calm they run around in
panic. I can almost “hear” what a group of chickens would be saying during this
time,” What do we do, what do we do.” Chickens are fearful, not like the eagle
who is known to be fearless. Chickens really don’t mind if other birds hang out
with them, they don’t seem bothered if a couple of pigeons lounge around with
them. Chickens are killed for food by humans and other predator-types of
animals. Eagles are protected by law and cannot be harmed.
Reflect
and ponder: Would you rather be an eagle or a chicken?
Eagles stand-out, their unique, strong, and fearless. Chickens are dirty,
fearful, and never can fly. (note: I’m not really asking you if you really want
to be an eagle or a chicken, but asking you metaphorically to see the similarities).
Counselor’s
Corner: If you answered yes that you would metaphorically
want to be an eagle, here are a few tips:
1. Be
careful who you hang out with. Eagles fly with eagles.
That is not to say you can never hang around “chickens”, but be careful you are
not spending a lot of time with “chickens”, otherwise you may begin to smell
like poop. People who are whiners, complainers, excuse makers, filled with
self-pity, judgmental, negative, and faith-less are “chickens.” (I’m I judging “chickens,”
nope used to be one myself!). You have to want to get out of that dirty chicken
coop that you are in, and the filth from the familiar surroundings. Filth and
familiar surroundings could be unconfessed sin and/or repeated patterns of sin,
hanging out in ungodly environments/people, and not filling yourself with the
things of God (such as reading God’s word, prayer, and worship).
2. You
may have to “fly” alone for a while. God may remove those “chickens”
from your life (so don’t go chase after them), and for a while you may feel alone-but it is only temporary until
God brings a few “eagles” along your path. Don’t get impatient as you wait for
your “eagle” companions, think about how many chickens there are and how many
eagles there are. Eagles are rare birds and “eagle” people are rare. Why? Because
becoming an “eagle” is not always easy, flying alone at times, be different (unique),
and not going along with the crowds can be challenging at times. I mean who doesn’t
want to follow the crowds at times? Easier in the short-term but fighting to
become an “eagle” will be worth it in the long-term. “Eagles” are leaders, they
are driven, they are fighters, they are determined, and they are
destiny-driven. “Eagles” fulfill their calling on their lives, while “chickens”
just talk about what they should have or would have done, if only____________
(you fill on the blank). “Eagles” know they are different, and they are okay with
that. “Eagles” do not fit the status quo, and believe for the impossible.
3. To
be an “eagle,” you must learn to rise above your “storms.”
You don’t stand around and look at your problems, and you don’t talk about your
problems incessantly. You CHOOSE to FOCUS on what God’s promises are and you
CHOOSE to live by faith and complete trust in Christ despite what your
circumstances may be.
4. You
must “think” like an “eagle.” You must get
laser-focused on what God has purposed for your life, otherwise the “chickens”
WILL come along and “poop” all over your vision. As an eagle spots his prey, he
becomes laser-focused on obtaining that prey and does not allow anything to
obstruct his view until his food is clasped tightly with his mighty talons.
Talons on an eagle are like vice-grips, you must get that type of grip on your
destiny.
MEDITATE
ON THESE SCRIPTURES:
Yet
those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with
wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired. They will walk and not
become weary. Isaiah 40:31
Who
satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the
eagle. Psalm 103:5
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