I read from Isaiah 40 yesterday for my quiet time, and then saw this parable today about the way birds got their wings. According to the parable, birds didn't have wings to start with. Then God made the wings and showed them to the grounded birds, and said, "Come, take up these burdens and bear them."
The birds looked at each other, and were baffled. They had lovely plumage. They had sweet voices. What did they need with burdens? But they decided to obey, and they took the "burdens" in their beaks, and placed them on their shoulders to carry them.
For a while, the burdens seemed heavy and difficult to bear, but as time went on, the wings grew to be a part of each bird that carried them. Each bird learned how to carry his "burden" and were lifted up by them, literally, into the air, as the weights became wings.
We're like that. We are wingless birds, and our burdens are the things God has allowed into our lives that we take on daily. We see them only as burdens, when if we'll only take them on and embrace them, they will become wings to carry us to the Father.
From Isaiah 40 (The Message):
"Have you not been paying attention? Have you not been listening? Haven't you heard these stories all your life? …Look at the night skies. Who do you think made all this? Who marches this army of stars out each night, counts them off, calls each by name and never overlooks a single one? Why would you ever complain, 'God has lost track of me; He doesn't care what happens to me?' Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening? God doesn't come and go. God lasts…He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts…but those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles."
God doesn't get tired of me…even when I give Him good reason to. Even when I gripe about the very wings (burdens) that will carry me directly to His arms.
I want to soar…and not be sore…I'm flappin' Lord…flappin' my wings just as hard as I can...
