Eagle’s Nest

A tall tree or a high mountain ledge is often the site of an eagle’s nest. The first layer of the nest contains thorny branches, sharp objects and perhaps even some jagged stones. This seems to label the bird as somewhat stupid, but wait! She covers these with fur from animals, soft materials she has found and even some of her feathers or down. It becomes a very comfortable place for the eaglets when they hatch.

As the hatchlings grow the nest becomes crowded but still very comfortable. And they get meals on wings regularly. Why leave the nest? So the mother begins to stir up the nest. With her talons she throws out the soft stuff bit by bit. The nest becomes less comfortable. Deliveries of food may become more sporadic adding to the distress of the young birds. Eventually the motivation to leave the nest and fend for themselves becomes strong enough to launch the eaglets into flight. The mother’s actions were not cruel or selfish but necessary to produce maturity.

Deut. 32:11 says, “As an eagle stirs up her nest…” Has the Lord been urging you or me to leave our comfort zones and launch out into action? Perhaps the idea is frightening and we object to the discomfort but the Lord wants us to spread our wings of faith and venture into what could be risky or uncomfortable work for Him.

The sunny side is not always the comfortable side,

Henry Wiebe