Soaring in the Holy Spirit

For ages man marvelled while observing birds mastering the skies - aerobatically perfect. Then man asked, ‘Why can’t I?’ He attached himself to wings, and flapped, and flapped - only to crash! Undeterred he fixed his re-invented wing, attached a motor … and flew! (But not with the ease and grace of an eagle).

I too experienced the excitement of flying. The most thrilling occasions were those with no engine, in a glider, launched into the air by a light powered aircraft until the tow rope was disconnected. The peace, the quiet, only the sound of invisible air smoothly flowing over the wings. Then suddenly up, up, up, upwards, I was thrust carried on the rising air of a thermal current. I was soaring! The thrill, the excitement! Is that how birds feel? The joy, the wonder! Carried on invisible arms, soaring upward and upward. The superlative, unlimited view, with all 360 degrees of the distant horizon.

Isaiah really knew what it’s like, not in a glider, but in the Spirit of God. Challenged as he was for declaring God’s truth, which few wanted to hear, the thermal of God’s Spirit swept him up. So he soared effortlessly like those eagles. Have you experienced it?

My greatest fulfilment comes when the Lord provides illuminating studies of Scripture: perhaps the meaning of a key Hebrew word, or the revelation of the cultural context, or the inspiration of some ancient sage who opens God’s Word, like petals unfolding, exposing the richest colour, with a uniquely perfect design, and exquisite fragrance.

Currently I’m spending every available moment in a detailed study of Jesus’ life and ministry, prepared by a scholarly friend. This is the product of over thirty years of his research and study. This is my pearl of great price. Scenes and situations recorded in the Gospels, that I have read many times, I’m seeing in a totally new perspective. I’d never realised the strategy of Jesus’ ministry, that every detail spoken or actioned by Jesus was significant, even to spitting and putting mud into a blind man’s eye sockets. Repeatedly I feel swept up on those thermals, soaring in the Spirit, as truth’s unfolding before my eyes, and my heart continually cries, ‘Yes, Lord! Yes, Lord! Thank You, Father! I’m soaring with You.’

Soaring is not something we can make happen. It comes from God’s grace and mercy. It’s a sign of His faithfulness as our Father. Its product is total refreshing, no weariness or faintness.

Prayer: Dear Father, thank You for this day and even the challenging situation before me. You are my only source of hope. Would You come and enable me to soar in Your Spirit, enabling me to see from the eagle’s perspective my life and so release everything to Your Lordship. Amen.