Turkeys and Eagles

Turkeys like to hang around in flocks, scratching in the dirt for food, taking flight only for short distances. They do not soar and are not generally admired as a noble bird.  Hence, the description of a person going nowhere, doing nothing, as a ‘turkey.’  Eagles, by contrast, soar to the heights, beautiful creatures. We use the eagle motif often when describing high achievers, as in, ‘Eagle Scout.’ Are you a turkey or an eagle?

If you choose to hang out with turkeys, don’t be surprised when you end up in the roaster pan of life!
If you choose to be with eagles, they will lift you higher!

Proverbs is direct: “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.”(Proverbs 13:20, NIV) Those who have lesser natural ability who chose to associate themselves with students with brains and discipline will always exceed their expectations. They are challenged by their associates.  Sadly, I have known many born with all the ‘right stuff,’ who chose to hang with the crowd that is going nowhere. Life is easier when no one expects much of us. The good times, the laughter, and the acceptance of turkeys who were happy to welcome them to their flock brought apathy that allowed the bright promise to fade to mediocrity. I feel so sad for the guy who’s life peaked in high school, who is still telling the stories of football glory 25 years later.

Christian; who are your associates?
Where do you find inspiration and challenge?
Is it with the passionately committed, those whose desire is for the glory of God,
or is it with those who aim for minimal participation to assure getting into Heaven?

Yes, there are ‘Christians’ who choose the way of the turkey. They decide that choosing the best things of God- a holy life, a disciplined life of devotion and service, is just ‘too hard.’  Deceiving themselves they claim, “God is leading me in a different direction”  as they walk away from those who challenge them to do their ‘utmost for God’s highest.’   They join ‘turkeys’ that expect little, do nothing, and never wrestle with Truth. Turkeys love big stories of faith as long as they are about things happening on the other side of the world.  They devour easy to believe miracle tales and thrive on promises that you can ‘get all of God’ with simple formulaic prayers and emotional experiences. They usually misuse the marvelous grace of Christ, twisting it inside out and turning it into an excuse to indulge their selfish desires. It’s a life without commitment, without sacrifice or kingdom change.

The eagle Christian finds those who are deeply engaged, thoughtful, living with excellence for God’s glory. Daniel was an eagle! His reputation for unwavering commitment was so notable his enemies chose to use it to try to get rid of him in Babylon’s lion den. His enemies “tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.” (Daniel 6:4-5, NIV)

If your desire is to soar on wings like eagles, living at the peak of effectiveness for the Lord, stop dreaming about miracle solutions or short-cuts. Daily discipline, being willing to deal with truth, the choice of walking with the wise – these things open our lives to the Spirit, who changes us “into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Find a band of eagles. Let them teach you to soar higher than you thought you could. Let their commitment to authentic Christian living be a model for you. And,enter the Kingdom of God, which is the destiny God purposed for you before time began.

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Shine Jesus Shine

 Lord, the light of Your love is shining,

In the midst of the darkness shining.

Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us.

Set us free by the truth You now bring us.

Shine on me, shine on me.

Lord, I come to Your awesome presence,

From the shadows into Your radiance.

By the blood I may enter Your brightness;

Search me, try me, consume all my darkness,

Shine on me, shine on me.

As we gaze on Your kingly brightness

So our faces display Your likeness;

Ever changing from glory to glory,

Mirrored here, may our lives tell Your story.

Shine on me, shine on me.

Shine, Jesus, shine!

Fill this land

With the Father’s glory.

Blaze, Spirit, blaze!

Set our hearts on fire.

Flow, River, flow!

Flood the nations

With grace and mercy.

Send forth Your word, Lord;

And let there be light.

Graham Kendrick

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