As believers, we're called to soar—just like the eagle in Isaiah 40:31: "those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles." To keep soaring in Christ, we need to be mindful of the things that can drag us down and hold us back from the abundant life God has for us. Recently, I’ve been reflecting on the things that pull me down from my soaring identity. I want to share them with you, and I hope they resonate.
1. Administrative Drag
Daily tasks can become overwhelming, whether you're managing a household, balancing work, or handling school responsibilities. It's important to be faithful in little, but some little things are not your big purpose. There’s a balance we must maintain here. While these tasks are necessary, they can weigh you down if they consume all your energy. Martha in the Bible was so caught up in the details of hosting Jesus that she missed the opportunity to simply be in His presence (Luke 10:38-42).
Application: Take a step back from the daily grind and evaluate your routines. The Skylight calendar has been a great lifehack for our family to stay on top of things!
2. Energy Vampires
These are the people and situations that drain your energy and leave you feeling depleted. Nehemiah faced something similar when rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem—Sanballat and Tobiah constantly tried to distract and discourage him (Nehemiah 4:1-3). Yet, Nehemiah refused to be pulled away from the work God called him to do.
Application: Identify the energy drains in your life and set boundaries to protect your focus. Stay committed to the work God has given you! Future you will thank you!
3. Old Mindsets
Holding onto outdated or limiting beliefs can keep you from experiencing the new things God wants to do in your life. The Israelites struggled with this as they wandered in the wilderness, often longing to return to Egypt rather than embracing the freedom God was leading them into (Numbers 14:1-4). They couldn’t fully grasp the new identity God was offering them as His chosen people.
Application: I really enjoy doing mindset work in my daily time with God to keep myself on point. The Bible calls this "renewing your mind." Sometimes even listening to an audio Bible can break you out of a mental rut. If you don't know where to start, try Romans 12!
4. Poor Beliefs about Scripture
Misunderstanding or underestimating the power of Scripture can limit your spiritual growth and keep you from living fully in your identity in Christ. The disciples on the road to Emmaus didn’t recognize Jesus until He explained the Scriptures to them (Luke 24:13-35).
Application: Don’t settle for a surface-level understanding of the Bible—be a student of God's word and set something in front of you each season to learn about.
Here's the Idea: God Calls Us to Reign in Life
Romans 5:17 says, "For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!" This verse is a powerful reminder that you are not meant to live a small, burdened life. Instead, you are called to reign, to soar, and to live in the abundance of grace that Christ provides.
The challenges we face are real, but so is the power of God’s grace. Don’t let the distractions and difficulties of life keep you from soaring like the eagle God created you to be. Keep your eyes fixed on Him, renew your strength, and continue to rise above the obstacles. You were made to soar.
Watch this video of an eagle soaring from the tallest building in the world in Dubai, and let it remind you of your soaring identity in Christ.
If this message encourages you, share it with someone who might need the reminder. Let's soar together!