The days are getting longer. A small consolation in view of the winter months ahead. Gaining focus is a challenge. The darkness, gloom, and cold of these months makes me sluggish. I yearn for the warmth and renewed energy of Spring. Although today, the sky is bright and filled with encouragement.
The Red-tailed Hawk is fast becoming my symbol of hope. It inspired my first book. Now, here I am in the middle of January, dry in thought, then I go out onto the deck and there it is again. Not only one, but five or six raptors are flying high. They are not all hawks, but He catches my eye and I stick with him. Viewing his dips and turns through my specialized birding binoculars. And just like that the title for my new book emerges. “Consider the Birds – Lessons for life” *
So, what can we learn from my hawk?
1. God is good! You may wonder how I make that connection. He is up in the heavens and so is the hawk. Both seeing the big picture in complete freedom and peace. Powerful teachers that provoke a fruitful response.
2. As the hawk uses laser focus it encourages us to do the same. Not sitting in wait, but taking the lead to utilize our gifts and accomplish our goals. Using a higher perspective helps us to see threats and spot things that feed us in healthy ways.
3. From the hawk, we learn to slow down and observe. This heightens our awareness, making us naturally approach decisions with knowledge and wisdom.
A hawk’s vision is 2 to 8 times sharper than ours. For humans, perfect vision is 20/20—we can see clearly standing 20 feet away. We are in the year of perfect vision, 2020. Does that mean things will go perfectly? Probably not. Seeing the state of the world and the political climate there is much we could fear. Instead we place our trust in the Lord. My prayer is that you fly like the hawk and use perfect vision to see the bigger landscape. Here are some tips:
- Take the initiative
- Use focused observation skills
- Soar high choosing freedom and peace
- Keep your perspective shining from Christ’s point of view
Hawks lead the way using their natural God given gifts. They don’t wait for someone else to figure it out. They instinctively activate their skills and talents.
“Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing something in your days– You would not believe if you were told.” Habakkuk 1:5
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2 Don’t sweat the small stuff, look at the big picture.
“Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20
*I am looking for a dedicated prayer team for my new book project. Let me know if you are interested in participating.
This, in my opinion, is your best one yet – very insightful.
Really? Well, thank-you Val!
Good blog! I really enjoyed it!!!
Autumn, Thank-you for reading. I pray 2020 is a year of good health and great blessings for you.
Enjoyed this post. Habakkuk 1:5 is key – looking forward to 2020. I already feel like i am soaring. Thanks for the post.
Thanks, Lyvita. Continue to soar. I love Habakkuk 3:17-18 where he concludes he will yet rejoice in the midst of calamity, knowing his Savior is above all. Our hope today, as well.