Which Bird Are You?

I believe that people watch our lives and notice what kind of character we
have. I also believe that people want to see Jesus and are crying out, "If
He's real, show us!"

The Bible says that Christians are God's personal representatives. Christ
lives in us and we are the home of God. As His representatives, He makes His
appeal to the world through us. And we are supposed to live our lives with
excellence so that people want what we have-Jesus!

What I'm talking about is having godly character in our lives. Character is
expressed through our behavior patterns, or natural responses to things.

Isaiah 40:31 says, But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for,
and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall
lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the
sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or
become tired.

The eagle is used here as a simile, something that compares two unlike
objects. God wants us to have characteristics of an eagle because they
reflect godly qualities.

Now, there's a large variety of birds in the world, just like there are a
lot of different kinds of Christians. Here are some examples of what I mean.

There are a lot of "chicken Christians." Chickens are generally afraid of
life, and they seldom fly or reach their potential in life. And when a storm
comes, all they seem to do is flap around the chicken yard, stirring up dirt
and running to the chicken house.

Then there's the magpie. Magpies are overly aggressive bullies who abuse and
drive others away. They are selfish, arrogant, self-centered, harsh and
pushy.

Kookaburras think life is just one big party. They don't seem to take
anything seriously and are the big clown, insensitive to those around them.
They often hurt and offend others.

The buzzard enjoys the filth of life and has the smell of death all about
him. Buzzard Christians rip people apart by spreading rumors and are
attracted to people with problems. They think nothing of destroying someone's
reputation.

Parrots and cockatoos are the talkers and they mimic what they hear. This
type of Christian can "talk the talk," parroting others, but doesn't "walk
the walk." They have head knowledge but no experience-all noise and no
action.

Eagles, however, are bold, strong and fiercely devoted. They are reliable
mates and devoted parents. They dwell on the rocks and in the high places of
the earth. Eagles are also confident enough to stand alone against the
storms of life and spread their wings, soaring above the clouds of
destruction. They are truly magnificent creatures.

God compares us to this bird to motivate us to strive to rise to our
potential in life. And the verse in Isaiah says we will mount up [close to
God] as eagles [mount up to the sun] when we wait for the Lord. Waiting on
God means spending time with Him, taking time to be in His presence. And as
we spend time with God, we can become "one" with Him so that His character
is developed in us.

So what kind of Christian are you? Who are you spending time with and
listening to? It's time to come up higher and become the "eagle Christians"
God has created us to be!

Useful link: www.joycemeyer.org