Stirring Up The Nest

We are creatures of habit. We all have our routines which we cherish and protect. Some habits are good, like reading the Bible or praying at a certain time each day; but other habits are not so good (do I really have to name them?). Even our good habits can get in the way of God's will if we become so rigid that we will not allow anything to interfere with our routine. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and scribes in His day saying, "This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition." (Mark 7:6-9)

Whenever we get too set in our ways, we are in danger of quenching the Spirit in our lives. God wants us to be a spontaneous people. He wants us to, "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season." (2 Timothy 4:2) In other words, be ready always (instantly), whether it's in our plans or not (in season, out of season), to share the truth of the Word of God with those who need to hear it. God will send them to us if we are open to see them and hear them.

Moses spoke these words to the children of Israel before he went up into Mt. Nebo to die. He said, "Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he." (Deuteronomy 32:1-4) We can't always predict the time or place when the rain will fall. Though the sky is cloudy overhead, it may rain on one side of town, and not the other; or even on one side of the street, and not the other. One thing is for sure, however: wherever the rain falls in moderation, it brings life, nourishment, and growth. The old timers talk about the "slow soaker" rains that fall long and gently upon the ground giving the water a chance to get down to the roots of plants and produce the greatest growth. They also warn against the "gully washers" that blow in, blow up, and blow out, dumping large volumes of rain that mostly run off into rivers and streams. God's Word is always a "slow soaker". If we are open and sensitive to His leading, He will give us words for those who come our way that will minister life and grace.

Moses continues by saying, "As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: so the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him. He made him ride on the high places of the earth." (Deuteronomy 32:11-13) We find here a beautiful picture of God's dealings with His people, and His determination to bless them. Baby eaglets tend to get very comfortable in their warm, cozy nests. The folks cater to their every need, bringing them food and even chewing it up and regurgitating it so they don't even have to chew. Their nest is familiar to them - outside the nest is strange and unknown. Sound familiar? The parent eagle has a plan, though. She jumps into the nest and begins tearing at the nest, and flapping her powerful wings. Of course, the babies are shocked out of their complacency and frantically seek for a place of safety away from mama's beating wings, and the sharp sticks that are now protruding everywhere. The only safe place is square on mama's back; and once they are there, mama pulls a fast one on them and soars into the air. Higher and higher she climbs until she deliberately lets them fall. As they fall toward the earth, they are forced to flap their own wings, and, behold, they learn to fly!

We are so much like those little birds. We are so comfortable in our nests and our routines, but the Lord wants us to fly! Often, the only way He can use to get us to try our wings is to stir up our nest and make it very uncomfortable to stay where we are. Then He can bear us up to heights that we've never known spiritually. This does not just happen once in our lives, either. Every time we become too satisfied with where we're at, the Lord will stir us from our nest once again. In this way, we remain vital and effective in our work for Christ.

"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." (Isaiah 40:31)