Flight Restrictions...Tuesday

6/30/15

The other morning, as I was walking from the BART parking lot to the train station, I noticed two small birds flying around the underpass.  The birds that I usually see tend to fly around the small trees and shrubs outside, so seeing them flying into and around a dark and dreary place caught my attention.

I was amused at first, thinking how silly they were.  Why fly in a tunnel of sorts, when they could enjoy the morning sunshine?  It seemed strange, to choose the gloom, and ignore the light that was easily reached.  Just a slight alteration of their direction and they would truly see the world as a brighter place.

This got me thinking about how many times we do this to ourselves.  We keep to the confined spaces and then complain that it is cold and dark and the air smells funny.   We are unhappy, but afraid to do anything about it.  So we continue to flit around in the small space, telling ourselves that this must be all that we deserve.  We may even tell ourselves that we are happy, because we need to put on a brave front.

But God created us to be transformed, bit by bit every day. His new mercies bring new chances to learn, grown and widen our flight path, so we can fly into the sunshine and eventually soar! 

“…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. 

They will soar on wings like eagles; 

they will run and not grow weary, 

they will walk and not be faint.”  

Isaiah 40:31

There is so much potential in each of us that we never even try to use.  We restrict ourselves by giving in to the negative perspective that we have been fed for so long, we may come to even believe it as truth.  We tell ourselves that God’s promises are true, but not for us.   They are meant for another time and place, for better people.  Jesus loves me, but not right now.

Our lives are meant to be wonderful, flowing strings of wonder and joy.  But if we continue to listen to the restrictions placed on us by our past failures and pain; our current circumstances and the overwhelming burdens that we see before us; we will miss the sunrise and sunset, birdsongs, warm breeze and tremendous beauty growing all around;  even in the driest deserts places. 

One of my favorite songs from years ago said to, “Keep your head to the sky” (MWhite1973).  And while I know that heaven is far beyond the sky that we see, I pray that we each try to keep our hearts, minds and intentions set on flying to the highest heights of eternity with the Lord.  With no restrictions!

“Who can hide in secret places
so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord.
“Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord.”  
Jeremiah 23:24 

Written by 

Lynda Kinnard