Valuable Lessons from the Eagle

Some time ago, just for fun I watched several videos about eagles on YouTube. When we talk about this bird, what usually comes to mind right away is the image of a great hunter ruling the sky with its wide-spread wings. Eagles are among the largest birds of prey in the world. Many cultures honor them as living symbols of strength, freedom, courage, and pride.

 

In the Bible itself, eagles are mentioned 34 times. Surely it is not without purpose that the Bible compares God's love and care to eagles. Through the following verses, I invite us all to learn more deeply:

1. Build Your Dreams as High as Possible

Deuteronomy 32:11 - Like an eagle stirring up its nest, hovering over its young, spreading its wings, catching one, and carrying it on its pinions.

Usually, other birds carry their young with their claws for fear of being attacked from behind or from above. But the eagle is not afraid of other birds. It carries its young on its wings. In that way, if struck by an arrow, it is the mother that is wounded. An eagle can also fly to a height of 300 meters at a speed of 300 km per hour.

When its young are learning to fly, the mother eagle will push her young out of the nest built at a height of 15-36 meters. The mother eagle tears apart its nest and pushes the young eagles from the high and steep cliff, so that they flap their wings and learn to fly. In this way, their wings become strong. When a young one falls, the mother will fly with it and support it, then release it again. This is the process that continues until the young eagle becomes independent and is able to fly on its own.

So it is with the Lord toward us. God wants us to have dreams as high as an eagle builds its nest. God does not want us to be afraid to build dreams as high as the sky, because when we fall, God will fly beside us to support us. When we have high dreams in the Lord, we are like the nest of an eagle. Far from the enemy's reach, safe, and protected. There is a quote I really like, "shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” Aim your dreams as high as possible; even if you miss, you will not fall far from them.

2. Do Not Be Afraid of Life's Storms

Exodus 19:4 - You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you on the wings of eagles and brought you to Myself.

Unlike other birds, eagles are not afraid of strong winds or storms. When other birds avoid strong winds and seek shelter in a storm, they actually welcome them. They wait for the right moment and deliberately approach where the strong winds and storms are happening. When strong winds and storms come, they can fly higher without even flapping their wings!

Unlike the eagle, we often become people who are afraid of life's storms. Instead of facing the storm fearlessly, we tend to avoid it and run from problems. Instead of facing them calmly, we panic, worry, blame circumstances, the people around us, and even God. Often the only one we do not blame is ourselves.

Eagles know that when storms come they will fly higher, and this is true for our lives as well. When the storms of life strike, we are actually in the midst of a test that will take us to a higher level. The storms of life will shape us into stronger people, with tested faith and better character.

3. Leave the Old Self, Become Mature

Hebrews 5:14 - But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good from evil.

An eagle never eats carrion. It always eats fresh meat. Other birds may scratch around in the dirt, or even wait for carcasses they can devour without resistance. But an eagle always waits patiently for the right opportunity; it watches its prey because it wants the best food.

Like an eagle, as Christians we too should be determined not to eat carrion. One mark of maturity is when we can wait calmly and know that there is a better reward when we can master ourselves. How many of us should already be spiritually mature, but in reality are still living in our old self? How many of us are unwilling and impatient to endure discomfort in order to grow?

Do we feel attacked when someone tells us what we need to change? Of course it is easier to show a bad attitude, defend ourselves, or even justify our mistakes. However, if we are willing to put in the effort to master ourselves, listen to advice, and change our faults, then God is processing us to become mature. Like an eagle, God calls us to fly higher. How much longer do we want to keep living with our old self? Let us learn to be like the eagle and inspire others when they see God's glory within us. 1 Peter 2:2 - And be like newborn babies, always longing for pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow and obtain salvation.