It’s Time to Soar

Birds fly. Dogs run. Fish swim. Rabbits hop. What about us? The ones who were created to rule over all the animals of the earth? Human beings strive.

We live in a GO GO GO world that supports and encourages us to produce more. Success is measured by how full our schedule is or by how many things are achieved in a week, month, or year. We almost feel guilty for resting or taking a day off. We may even think we’re lazy if we are not doing something!

Oftentimes, something is sacrificed when priorities are set in our lives. The thing we prioritize most takes up our attention and time. Time given to something is time taken away from something else.

I believe that every person is created and made for more. The God-given potential and abilities that are inside of each and every one of us are limitless in the hands of our Creator.

The struggle is real. Am I right, ladies?

At times, we want to control and manipulate things in our lives. There is a sense of security sitting in the driver’s seat. We can know what the outcome will be when we are “in control” of the timeline and the process. The truth is:  control is the opposite of trust. Controlling keeps us away from trusting. Trusting looks like open hands and controlling looks like clenched fists.

Can you imagine if we actually lived with clenched fists?  It would be nearly impossible to do daily things like opening a door, brushing our teeth, or driving a car, just to name a few actions that come to my mind! It certainly can’t be comfortable to walk around with clenched fists. Try clenching your hand into a fist for just 30 seconds and feel the tension. Notice the energy it takes to hold that clenched fist!

A clenched hand can’t receive what is being given. Whatever it is will fall to the ground because the hand is simply not open.

God is longing to do more for us. Having an open hand is key to accomplishing the plans and purposes that He has for our lives. Trusting in the Lord allows Him to position and provide all that we need.

Trusting is like soaring. Controlling is like striving. We do that in our own strength and that leaves us weary and exhausted. I love what it says in Isaiah 40:29-31,

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;  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.”

It’s time to soar on wings like eagles. It’s time to trust God in every aspect of our lives, even when we experience unpleasant outcomes. Don’t faint. Carry on! His promises are true for us. He is always faithful.

When we look at the definition of soar, it says this:

to fly or rise high in the air; maintain height in the air without flapping wings or using engine power; increase rapidly above the usual level.

By definition, there is no striving related to soaring.

Soaring is catching the wind. It is going above and beyond. It’s reaching heights that are above the usual level. The Lord is calling each of us to catch the wind so that we can soar to greater heights and rise higher than our circumstances. That’s what happens when we release control and trust in the Lord.

What holds us back from releasing and letting go? What’s stopping us from opening our hands and relinquishing control? Could it be fear?

It could be a self-protective measure because of something that has happened to us in the past. We guard ourselves (with our fists up) and act defensively. We hold onto the things because we can’t bear to go through the pain, rejection or disappointment again.

Jesus understands everything. He not only sees and understands every moment in our lives, but He is also right there offering an open hand for us to take hold of.

You are made for more. You are created to SOAR not strive.

I encourage you to spend 5 minutes today praying with your hands open. Allow the Holy Spirit to reveal things that might be in the way or are blocking you from fully trusting in the Lord.

Read Isaiah 40:29-31 aloud. It’s time to SOAR!

With open hands,

Bethany Marshall