There is a fable about the way the birds got their wings at the beginning. They were first made without wings. Then God made the wings and put them down before the wingless birds and said to them, "Come, take up these burdens and bear them."The birds had lovely plumage and sweet voices; they could sing, and their feathers gleamed in the sunshine, but they could not soar in the air. They hesitated at first when bidden to take up the burdens that lay at their feet, but they soon obeyed, and taking up the wings in their beaks, laid them on their shoulders to carry them.
For a little while the load seemed heavy and hard to bear, but presently, as they went on carrying the burdens, folding them over their hearts, the wings grew fast to their little bodies, and soon they discovered how to use them, and were lifted by them up into the air-the weights became wings.
Through God's call in my life of late to, "Come, take up these burdens and bear them," I've discovered the truth buried in this parable is one of God's favorite things to do in our lives. Since 2008 I've experienced one heartache after another, but without hesitation I can say they gave me wings and taught me how to fly. God takes the burdens of those who love him and have been called according to his purpose and works them into our lives for our good (Romans 8:28). As we discover how to use our wings and fly God woos us heavenward to soar above all of chaos and din of this earth.
And then I received an added bonus. As I studied Hosea this week I found the Old Testament version of Romans 8:28. Hosea 2:15: "There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor (trouble) a door of hope." Yes, our amazing, miracle working God loves to turn our troubles into a door of hope, our burdens into wings.
Let's pray!
Oh dear Lord Jesus, thank you for turning our weights into wings. Help us to obey your call to "Come, take up these burdens and bear them." You are a promise-keeper and you have said we shall mount up with wings as eagles (Isaiah 40:31). Continue to woo us heavenward each day. In your precious name we pray. Amen.
"Blessed is any weight, however overwhelming, which God has been so good as to fasten with His own hand upon our shoulders.
-F. W. Faber
photo courtesy of christianphotos.net
