There are countless amazing places in the world I have not been to. But I am privileged enough to have travelled to some fantastic places and experienced their different cultures and breathtaking landscapes.
Yet nothing, in my humble opinion, quite beats the beauty and splendour of the west coast of Scotland, particularly if you are looking out from or over to the islands at sunset.
Wings
As if stunning vistas and sunsets are not enough, the west coast of Scotland is full of amazing wildlife. I’ve been fortunate enough to see whales, dolphin, puffins, otters, the list could go on. I have even been fortunate enough to spot both golden and sea eagles soaring on summer thermals. Sea eagles are described as having wings like barn doors, so even at a distance, they are recognisable because of their incredible wings.
They Shall
The passage from Isaiah we are considering this Sunday – Isaiah 40: 12 – 31 – contains those famous words about eagle’s wings:
“those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (40: 31)
A Danish Parable
Søren Kierkegaard, the 19th century Danish philosopher and theologian, in one of his lighter moments told a short parable which relates to this passage.
He asked his readers to imagine a church full of ducks. I have no idea why he chose ducks. Perhaps ducks are more common in Copenhagen than eagles?
Anyway, Kierkegaard asked his reader to imagine the duck pastor preaching and reading from the duck Bible. The pastor enthusiastically proclaimed, God’s word says we have wings and can mount up like eagles.
Upon hearing this the duck congregation waddled home.
A Living Word
God’s word is active and living …encountering the living word of God should do something to us.
I wonder how you plan to leave church on Sunday. Will you waddle or will you rise up?
See you Sunday.
Brodie