Apon Eagles Wings

I don’t know if you’ve thought about it or not, but the fourth anniversary of the tragedy on September 11, 2001 is very near. And, as is always the case, as years separate us from notable events, new historical markers have a tendency to cast a shadow on past events until they’re hardly recognizable anymore. Not that they’re any less important nor should they ever be forgotten, it seems they just simply become a date on the printed calendar and an editorial in the newspaper or a special on TV. 911 will definitely cool in the shadow of hurricane KATRINA this year, a tragedy of huge proportion with long term suffering in the aftermath for not thousands of people, but hundreds of thousands of people. Not only have loved ones been lost, but homes, transportation, jobs and incomes. For many there will be no returning to their former lifestyle. It simply doesn’t exist anymore. Will the victims and the country recover from this greatest of tragedies in recent history of the U.S.? Yes. Just look at what has happened in the past. Catastrophic events have happened before, yet they’re all covered up and nearly forgotten.
Why was the eagle chosen over the turkey for our national bird? Perhaps for the one characteristic that blends with mans ability to survive. Eagles have a sense to know when a storm is coming before it even breaks out. The eagle will fly to a high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the storm hits the eagle sets its wings so the wind will pick it up and lift it high above the storm. Commercial aircraft pilots have reported seeing eagles thousands of feet in the air. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it, gliding with ease. The eagle does not escape the storm, it simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm into its world.
[Isaiah 40: 28-31] Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 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. (NIV)
Every one of us is probably already guilty of analyzing the destructive aftermath of hurricane KATRINA. We can’t understand why some people did what they did and why others seem to be doing nothing. It’s easy to talk when you’re not right in the middle of it. We forget to step back and look at the big picture. This world is ever changing and to survive man must be ever changing, and must be ready to adapt at any time. Let’s face it, life isn’t fair. I personally don’t care who you are or who you think you are, God is still in charge. Nothing is everlasting in this world, I don’t care how strong you build it. I see not a physical tragedy so much as I see a spiritual tragedy among the survivors of this storm of life. Those who have a faith built on the rock of God’s truth are moving on to a changed life with courage and strength that comes from their Lord. Those who built their faith on shifting sand are wringing their hands, blaming God and others for their sorrow. And then, there are the godless who are reeking havoc for personal gain. Are we listening and learning? Do you want to find yourself among the hopeless and the godless in time of disaster? Have you talked to your neighbor about life and hope in Jesus?