Strength of Purpose

Yesterday I climbed into a canoe. I had been hesitant, wondering if it was possible for my body to flex at that angle, but the opportunity was upon me and I grabbed it. Mustering up courage for the sideways motion with my weak right side -- I stepped over and down. Everything worked, and soon we were paddling across a glassy lake ringed with scarlet tinges while our bow made a smooth arrow of ripples. The sky was a silent shade of blue that seemed to mute all sound but the faraway chatter from the other boaters. 

Into the moment a blur appeared and I looked up at a bald eagle gliding thirty feet over our heads. He swooped, dipping a wing, and then lifted to cross the lake and perch in the top of a tall pine. The image was so right in its immensity, that there was nothing to say. 

Just prior to the canoe ride we had been gathered as a large group on a stone patio within the woods. We had come to meditate on encouragement, and consequently much sorrow, grief, loneliness and fear had been dragged into the open. Sitting in a circle, we represented the spectrum of suffering which has comprised the struggles of the ages. I pictured the millions of times the same scene had been repeated as over and over bruised and bloody bodies were pulled to the side of another...for comfort and encouragement. Time and time again, the burdens have been sifted through and sorted into proper order; nothing permitted to remain as overwhelming as it had at first seemed. 

The origin of the Anglo-French word “encourage” is simply to fill with courage or strength of purpose. Alongside a fellow sufferer willing “to give a reason for the hope within”, we are infused with bravery. 

No situations were changed while we sat there under the trees recounting God’s promises to each of us, but we were filled with new strength for the days ahead. 

Today there was no bad news. There were no waves of repercussion from difficult decisions. No calls or messages came with tales of fresh trials.  Nothing intruded to erase the remembered image of a black and white eagle circling above us in a brilliant blue sky.

Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall. 

 But those who wait upon the Lord will gain new strength: 

they will soar on wings like eagles, 

they will run and not be weary,  they will walk and not faint.