Flying With a Broken Wing

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand,

that he may lift you up in due time.”

1 Peter 5:6 (NIV)

The heart and mind are two pretty cool powerhouses that we’ve been given. Sometimes they tangle with our soul, trying to figure out who we are and what we should be doing. At other times they have the ability to spur our desires that lead us to do the unexplainable, just because they’ve stirred our passions – and it’s beautiful.

But sometimes, we’re put at a halt in reaching those desires. It’s frustrating, I know, especially as someone who is enduring that right now.

I’ll be vulnerable for a second. Three months ago I made my big move to Colorado. It has by far been one of the most exciting, nerve wrecking pieces of my life. Everything seemed to be going well at first until I realized my job wasn’t as cut out for me as I had expected. It was rough, I pushed through a good month to say I did it but later decided I wasn’t willing to compensate my happiness over a job. So, I quit.

I thought quitting my job would be a big leap of faith, that God would sweep in and provide me with my dream job in 2 weeks because I know how big He is! Needless to say, that hasn’t been the case.

I’ve been on the search for a “big girl” job for about 2 months now, and have found nothing. So in the meantime, I’ve been working at a restaurant to pay rent and make it by. If working in the restaurant business again and buying “Great Value” coffee grounds with a college degree isn’t a humbling experience, I’m not sure what else is.

Being discouraged at times has been part of the job search process. Why can’t I find something? Why isn’t this move-out West turning out as I had expected it to be? I know I was called here for a reason, or else I wouldn’t have picked up and left.

About a month ago at work, I saw a little bird hopping around outside on the patio. I figured he was only trying to snag some food here and there until I realized he had been there most of the day. After hiding under tables and not flying away when I approached him, my new assumption was he wasn’t hungry, but had a broken wing.

As silly as I felt, I prayed for this bird’s healing, that he would be able to fly again.

Later that evening he was still there, hopping around the patio and peering out from underneath tables. A dark thunderstorm was rolling in from the mountains, so my coworker and I decided he might need a little saving. As we approached the little bird and went to grab him, he flew off! Fled the patio! What?

I’m not sure if the bird’s wing was healed completely, but he was given the strength to fly. Maybe that’s the same for me too. Christ hears my prayers, even when I’m stumbling and can’t lift off. He sees when I’m hurting, wanting to run after my heart’s desires and Him, but lets me remain amidst the thunderstorm right before it rolls in.

Because Histiming is perfect. 

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” 1 Peter 5:6

I’m still in the unknown, playing an overwhelming challenge of the waiting game and seeking out what is in store for me in Colorado. But what I do know is the brilliant feeling of hope – that soon things will be lifted in the most beautiful of ways.

And that goes for you too.

For Your Reflection ...

Waiting is hard; especially when we don’t understand why God isn’t moving faster on our behalf. How can you draw closer to him in your time of waiting?