"What Kind of Bird Are You?"

O Israel, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? How can you say God refuses to hear your case? Have you never heard or understood? Don't you know that the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:27-31 NLV).

There is a little island off the coast of British Columbia whose stony crags are inhabited by a species of bird called the "puffin." It is a tufted small bird, a tufted puffin. The most amazing characteristic of this bird is its habit of living in that spot only. Take it away from that area and it cannot survive. It has no resistance. This tufted puffin is so fragile that is cannot endure or overcome stress. It dies if you take it away from its normal habitat.

What kind of bird are you? Are you a tufted puffin, or are you an eagle? God’s desire for all of us is that we rise above the routine of our life and conquer the stress that seeks to invade our souls attacking our well being and peace of mind. I know that I have used the above Scripture previously, but today I thought it might need to be revisited for just a few moments. When Isaiah wrote these words the people were very discouraged. It appeared that their entire way of life would soon end. They faced the Assyrians who wanted nothing less than complete domination of their land and their future. They did not have enough resources to fend off this vast enemy form the north. Perhaps you feel that way as well today. The enemy has surrounded you and you feel as if there is no means of escape. I have good news for you this morning!

There is a poem by Victor Hugo called "Wings":

Be like the bird that,
Pausing in its flight awhile
On boughs too light,
Feels them give way,
Yet sings!
Knowing she hath wings.

Do you have wings? Of course you have. Your wings are your faith and belief in your heavenly Father. And you can soar to your destination if you'll only give your life to Him. Through frustration and despair you tie your wings, and you cannot get off the ground. This morning, surrender to the truth of God’s provision for you. Wait on the Lord. Take the time to pray and praise Him right now. He desires to lighten the load and allow you to take up flight above and beyond all your circumstance. He desires you to succeed; to rise above fear, to rise above the stress, turning your life into a continuous creative opportunity. Now, take a deep breath and receive His presence into your life!