Eagles ("Carp" Diem)

My boys and I went fishing on Saturday evening (even though my Mom was telling me I should be preparing to speak on Sunday). The fishing went well, but the highlight was seeing an eagle flying around quite close to us and eventually being joined by another eagle; it was so cool. They were just gliding above us with their wings outstretched enjoying their freedom. In hindsight, it would have been a good example to use when I spoke on Sunday about freedom and how that could look in our lives.

Fast forward to Sunday evening when the whole family went out to the same spot. Again, the fishing was great but eventually the eagle came out again and we all watched it circle around right above us... absolutely majestic. Then it started swooping down toward us and we were all riveted on it as it hit the surface of the water about 30 feet from us and grabbed a fish with its talons and then took off. Whoa! It was really cool!

I believe the best part of the gospel message is that it brings us freedom. The penalty for our past, current, and future mistakes is death - something or someone has to take the hit for it. In the old days it was the scape goat or lamb (get my message from this past Sunday) but when Jesus came on the scene he took the hit for us. God loved us so much that He sent Jesus to do that for us, but as a result we need to walk in the freedom that it gives us. If we let Jesus take the hit for our mistakes, we no longer need to drag the ball and chain of our past around with us; we are no longer shackled on our wrists and ankles. We are like the eagle flying high in absolute freedom from our past that would otherwise keep us grounded.

I also believe that God creates opportunities in our lives; times when we are supposed to "carpe diem" (Seize the Day). This might be a ministry opportunity with someone; this might be an opportunity for great adventure; this might be an opportunity to serve; this might be a job opportunity... who knows. I believe God desires us to take action (faith without works is dead) and when these opportunities arise and are appropriate, we need to take action rather than shrink back ("From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it" - Matthew 11:12 I think). The eagle we were watching saw an opportunity with a fish lingering on the surface and he took it; and he (or she; or their baby eaglets) were handsomely rewarded.

Was there a risk the eagle would have failed? Yup. But the eagle would have tried again. That's what freedom brings; not being weighed down by past failures or current fear of failure. Man, lets be eagles... let's fly in full freedom and seize the moment when they are presented. I wonder if this has anything to do with God's intention when the Bible says, "They with soar with wings as eagles; the will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint."

7/25 Edit: I just changed the title to reflect the fact that if the fish the eagle grabbed was a carp (which I don't think it was), then Carp Diem would be more appropriate than Carpe Diem.