Isaiah describes three distinct modes by which we move ahead in life. First, there are those seasons when we seem to soar like eagles. Eagles can reach speeds of up to eighty miles per hour. Eagles can reach heights over a mile above the earth. But the strength to soar comes from without, not within. Eagles glide along upward air currents called thermals. As heated air rises above the ground, the eagle will simply spread its wings and allow the wind to carry it thousands of feet without ever flapping its wings.

     There are times in the life of every Christian when the Wind of God, the Holy Spirit, does the same for us. God answers your prayers with expediency. Your ability to rise above temptation is effortless. Your accomplishments for the good of the Kingdom are extraordinary.

     Yet, there are those other seasons wherein you run rather than soar. More effort is required on your part. You find yourself doing a lot more flapping and sweating instead of riding and gliding. You experience more resistance than you did before. The going is tough, though you are still covering a lot of ground. Even during these times, you recognize that the Spirit of God is infusing into you a strength you could never produce on your own. And, for this gift of grace, you are thankful.

     Then, ultimately there are those times when you neither soar nor run. It takes everything you have just to walk and not faint. You fight not to lose ground and go backwards. You hold on with what little strength left in you. But, even in these moments of hardship, you sense that you are firmly within the grip of God’s grace. In your heart, you sense that it is His power that keeps you from faltering.

     I don’t know about you, but it seems that I spend more time in this third mode of operation than I do in the first two. I don’t care for this particular season of life. However, I am encouraged that even Jesus spent the most important part of his time in this walking phase. Sure, there were those glorious moments of Jesus’ life when his ministry soared as he healed people and performed miracles. There were other moments when Jesus ran by
showing up the religious leaders who resisted his teaching with clever and timely words.

     But, during the most difficult and defining week of his life, Jesus walked. With a cross on his back, Jesus walked. Bleeding and bruised, Jesus walked. Mocked and derided by others, Jesus walked. He walked up a hill. He stumbled along the way. God even provided him assistance. But no matter how steep, how difficult, how painful, Jesus never stopped walking. It’s a good thing for us he didn’t. If Jesus had quit, you and I would still be dealing with the consequence of death and the curse of sin.

     And I wonder. Does the cross tell us something about God? Does God value walking more than soaring or running? What’s more, don’t you think God is pleased when you say to Him, “I’m not going to quit. I’m going to follow Jesus as long as I can. And I lean on Your Spirit when my own strength is spent. Yet, no matter how steep the climb, how tough the terrain, I’m not giving up on Jesus because he’ll never give up on me.”