We are walking outside when seemingly from nowhere, a great Bald Eagle appears on high, majestically soaring against the blue, its white head feathers reflecting the sunlight. Let’s admit it: haven’t we all at least once wished we could be given its wings so we could soar up there in the light and garner wisdom from a vast view of the world? And also perhaps be carried off into a deep wilderness of peace amidst the quiet of great trees, the call of loons, a singing river…where we might find respite from our struggles with difficult decisions, and the rampant dysfunction sweeping across the human world…where we might experience that bit of grace-given-magic where trees, soil and creatures seem to swallow up at least some of the torrent of emotions and wild thoughts that our world often elicits in us?

These are the archetypal images of fairy tales. And though we know an eagle cannot physically carry us to such an idyllic place of serenity, there is truth in such pictures. We can, sitting quietly at home or in church, glimpse the eagle as Spirit in our souls, bringing lofty thoughts that soar in the light, feelings warm with compassion, resolves vibrating with hope. In truth, as Jesus said to Nicodemus, we do not know from where this Spirit comes or to where she flies (John 3:5-8). But trusting, we can allow her to carry us into realms of inner quiet and inspiration.

But it seems that only for a time may we experience such sublimity. It’s as though we are periodically allotted time-cycles sufficient to allow something old in us to die and a subsequent birth of new insight, strength, hope. Apparently, at least for now, it is apparently not ours to remain in the eagle’s realm. For the world of turmoil eventually draws us. It seems as though, rather than fleeing into and then remaining in wilderness-peace, we are ultimately to bring what the Eagle-Spirit has graciously led us to experience back into the struggles of our world.

(based on Rev. 12: 13 – 17)