Flight Plan

I decided to do something really great for my two budgies, Sunny and Cordelle. I built them a flight cage. God created birds to fly, and that's what I wanted mine to be able to do. Thus, I gathered up discarded lumber, collected a pile of screws, purchased a roll of wire netting, made ready my power tools, and went to work. The project ended up being a bit of a challenge, but I persevered and was quite pleased with the finished product.

I couldn't wait to move my little feathered friends into their new enclosure. Much to my surprise as well as disappointment, even though their cage door was left open, neither one would venture from their accustomed perch out into the open. Had they forgotten how to fly? Were they frightened? Or were they just so comfortable where they were that it didn't matter anymore?

After a few hours, I decided to take matters into my own hands and physically remove them from their regular perch inside the small cage, out onto the new perch in the surrounding flight enclosure.

At first, they seemed shocked, but then, reality hit, and they began to chirp and sing and climb and yes, even fly.

As I contemplated this sequence of events, I considered how we may react in similar situations.

Like Joshua, poised to lead Israel across the Jordan into Canaan, God may call us to go forth into new territory. It may be a venture which may require us to remember past, perhaps long-forgotten, skills. Perhaps it is something which frightens us as we mull it over — or we may be too comfortable right where we are and simply not want this new challenge. When God opens the door for change in our lives, however, He desires that we step through and learn to soar amidst it, not in our own strength, but in His.

As we approach the coming new year, may each of us, like Joshua, recall the Lord God's words to him:

Joshua 1:9 – Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (NIV)

Let us remember God's words. Let us believe them. Let us embrace them. Take courage. Take strength. Take flight. Let us soar with power into whatever new territory the Lord is calling us to enter successfully in this coming new year.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that we can be full of courage and strength and that we need not fear change, for You are always with us. May each of us soar in the power of Your Holy Spirit throughout this upcoming year, no matter what flight plan You call us to pursue. We pray this in Christ's name. Amen.

Forward this devotional     Share this devotional on Facebook     Like PresbyCan on Facebook