The eagle and the crow...

          ​I remember a video I watched some time ago about an eagle and a crow. It was interesting to see the crow perched on top of the eagle, pecking away persistently at his neck. As I watched I also realized that the eagle made no effort to shake the crow off. Instead, the eagle rose higher and higher in the sky until the crow finally simply fell off because of a lack of oxygen at that height.
         One of the first things that came to mind was the reality that we can’t escape the “crows” of life. Problems are going to come whether we like it or not and sometimes they are going to come from areas we least expect. We can’t always stop them but we can learn to deal with them as they come.
         I am reminded of the story of Job. Job’s problems seemed to come out of nowhere. He was doing his best to live a good life even praying on behalf of his children when he thought they might have sinned. Yet, problem after problem came. He lost his material possessions and his children. When his wife in grief of spirit told him to curse God and die it seemed he had no support whatsoever. Then, his friends came, but, instead of comfort, their words added to his pain and suffering. Yet, in spite of it all, Job kept his focus on his God, he refused to give up on him and chose instead to honor Him. His attitude to God in the midst of his trials did not change. He maintained his focus, his stance to honor God, to trust Him even when it did not make sense. When God finally delivered him, he had not allowed his trials to change his attitude or defeat him. In fact, God blessed him even more after his season of suffering.
         I took note of the fact that the eagle did not seem to once pay attention to the crow. It’s not that he was not feeling the bites on his neck but he chose to focus instead on going higher. Sometimes we have to keep our focus on what is important. The problems that come are at times merely distractions to throw us off course, to discourage us, to deter us from accomplishing our goals or dreams. And sometimes they come just as we are about to be promoted or to receive great blessings. The battle still belongs to the Lord. I know that is easy to say and write but the truth is the truth. Sometimes we need to be reminded that it is not our responsibility to fight. That’s God’s job and we need to learn to give God’s job back to Him! 
         I am also reminded of the story of king Jehoshaphat. When he heard about that combined army coming against him and his people, he ran to God. God let them know that the battle belonged to Him and that all they had to do was stand still and watch and see how He would deliver them (2 Chronicles 20:15, 17). On the day of the battle, appointed singers began to sing praises to God: “Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated” (2 Chronicles 20:22). Without even having to lift a finger, their enemies were defeated because God fought for them. 
          Our praise and our worship are important. Fighting up with the enemy will only weary us, even make us bitter. But offering praise and worship to God will rejuvenate and strengthen us and when we step aside and trust God, He is obligated to defend us and fight on our behalf!
         I can speak freely on this topic of trials and challenges because I have had my fair share just like so many of us. We know what it is like to go through storms, pain, suffering, stress. I also know what it is to put on some worship music and just choose to praise and worship my God while I am going through. I admire that eagle. He just kept flying – he never chose to land. He just kept rising higher and higher. My encouragement to us – even me – is to keep flying, keep soaring, keep rising, don’t stop. Whatever God has for you, keep reaching for it. Whatever God has given you to do, keep doing it. Don’t get distracted or lose focus. Keep praising and worshiping, even when it hurts, even when it is difficult. I am sure the eagle felt the pain of the crow biting into him BUT HE DID NOT STOP he kept rising, he kept his focus, he refused to be defeated!!! 
          Don’t stop! Keep rising! Keep soaring! Be your best for God. You will never be alone or have to do it alone!
      If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your Lord and Savior I encourage you to do so now. In Him you can face any challenge or situation that may come your way. He will fight for you because you belong to Him and He will never leave you without the support and strength that you need.

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