Eagles fly together

“… encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all“ (1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV)

The last few weeks have been very tough for me. It seems like they have been the busiest weeks of my life. I guess you could say I have been burning the candle at both ends. I’ve been going from one thing to the next with little down time in between.

Early last Tuesday I spent some time in the FC central office. I had come from my first period English class in order to ask one of the secretaries a question. As I was leaving the office something caught my attention. It was a passage of scripture, painted across the wall. I immediately recognized the verse as one I have memorized. Instead of brushing over the verse I stopped to truly read it.

“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles…” (Isaiah 40:31 NIV).

I stood there in the doorway, reflecting on this promise from God. Here I was, tired, stressed and physically drained. I desperately wanted to soar on wings like Eagles. I needed God to lift me up.

A few hours later I was sitting in chapel. After leading us in a couple of worship songs, David Martens shared a message that had been on his heart. It was something I really needed to hear. He said the end of the school year often brings business, weariness and stress. He let us in on a secret, saying our teachers are feeling exactly what we are. They are exhausted, just like us. He opened the Bible and read some promises from scripture. One of the verses he read was none other than Isaiah 40:31.

I left chapel encouraged and uplifted. As I went throughout the rest of the week I talked with multiple people who were facing some sort of hardship. People are going through battles far worse than I am. I hope I can be a listening ear and sympathizing friend to those around me.

Christians need fellowship. You may ask, “What is fellowship?” Well, as my pastor likes to say: “fellowship is just a bunch of fellows in the same ship.” We are going on the same journey. We need one another. We need to bear the burdens of our brothers and sisters in Christ. (Galatians 6:2).

If you went to an FC sporting event this year you might have heard an interesting chant rising from our bleachers. It’s a chant that was actually created this past football season. The students simply flap their arms and shout: “Eagles fly together… Eagles fly together!” As strange as it seems, this chant has become one of the most popular chants among our student fans.

The funny thing is Eagles don’t fly together. They fly solo. Not the body of Christ, however. God wants all of us to hope in him in the midst of our weariness. He can renew our strength and make us soar. We aren’t meant to go through life alone. Let’s strive to listen, to love, to sympathize. Remember, we are one. Eagles fly together.