Soaring

Have you ever been on “Soarin’” at Disney’s California Adventure or Disney’s Epcot Center?  Great simulator attraction based on flying over the countryside.  I just love that feeling of flying, even though it is just a simulation effect of visual, motion, air on the skin, etc.  I love the view that brings of the beautiful scenery.  I just wish it lasted more than 4 minutes and 40 seconds.  It brings a sense of freedom, adventure, excitement and relaxation all at the same time.  In some ways it is re-energizing to my soul.  I would love to be able to run right off the end of the ride back around to the front of the line and ride it again.

I think we all need to experience those sensations and feelings in our life.  Sometimes our everyday life can be draining to us physically and spiritually.  Then there are those extra difficulties in life that can further drain us.  We are just wiped out.  We sometimes don’t feel like we have the strength to go on or to face one more minute of living with the chores and the problems.  We need to be revived, encouraged and strengthened to continue what seems like the uphill climb in life.  God has given us very clear and easy instructions on how to do this in Isaiah 40:31 –

“…but those who trust 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 faint.”

Many times what really drains us is the fact that we are doing everything in our own strength and we are trying to accomplish it all ourselves.  We see a financial problem…we try to get a loan or sell something to pay the debt.  We see an adult child struggling with drug problems…we try to take over their lives and stop the abuse.  In reality what God instructs us to do, is to actually trust Him to take care of the problem.  We need to go to Him and ask for His answer.  Sometimes that means we need to be patient and wait for Him to respond.  Instead we just jump the gun and take the bull by the horns.  As time goes by we become discouraged and drained.  We need to trust that God will do what is best and we need to wait on Him.  Don’t push to make life easier, let God do the pushing.  Don’t flap your arms trying to fly through the mess.  Let God be your wind and just put out your arms and soar!

 

In the Habit of Remembering

We all have good memories and bad memories.  Sometimes we dwell on those memories for the wrong reasons.  We think over and over again on the bad memories and drive ourselves insane with what we could have done differently to make the outcome better.  We focus on good memories to pump ourselves emotionally.  Remembering things is important.  God expects us to remember.  However in Psalm 63:6 – 8 God gives us instructions on the best way to use our time to remember things:

“6 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. 7 Because You have been my help, Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. 8 My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.”

David was on the run from King Saul when he wrote this Psalm.  He was hiding in the wilderness.  His life was in shambles.  His family’s lives were at risk.  He spent his time thinking about what God had done.  He realized that God had been his help all that time and that He should stay faithful and rejoice in what God is doing.

Like David when we have free time, we are to focus on God.  For example, many of us have trouble falling to sleep.  We are consumed with the stresses of our day at work or in our family.  That’s a great time to think on the character of God.  We can spend time remembering the stories we have read or learned out of the Bible about God and His people, we learn about how God thinks and works.  We see fellow believers struggling with issues and learning to hear God and obey.  We see God responding to needs and providing.  We realize that we are not alone and God is there for us.  We, too, can rejoice in what God will do in our lives knowing that He love us.

So, start changing some of your thinking habits.  Get in the habit of remembering what God has done for those in the Bible and what God has done for you and your family during your lifetime.