What a Hawk Taught Me This Morning

I write this from our sunroom. As I look beyond the windows I witness the wind blowing at 14 miles per hour with gusts up to 32 miles per hour—according to my weather app. I have spent more than an hour reading Scripture, doing meditations, writing in my journal, and praying. As I watched the wind push and pull trees, bushes, and our patio furniture, my eye was caught by a large hawk soaring here and there before finally coming to perch on a large tree. 

Suddenly I saw the wind and the hawk gliding effortlessly as a metaphor and lesson for my life right now. Can you relate?

Perhaps your prayer list looks like mine:

• Friends battling cancer.
• A loved one with a new serious diagnosis.
• Ongoing health concerns.
• Sisters and brothers facing and living with unemployment.
• The loss of a loved one.
• The grief of life changes.
• And so much more. 

During my prayer time, I listened and sent one of my favorite songs—Mercy Me’s “Heart Beats For Your Good”—as an encouragement to a close friend. As I listened to the wind howling and watched the trees bend to its will, I sensed Holy Spirit speaking to me throughout that song as well. It was as if Holy Spirit was whispering to me. 

You can watch and listen to the shttps://youtu.be/9GILAi5owXM?si=9-Y6Ea699MReT2oiong here. It is a wonderful reminder that what appears to be hurricane force winds in our lives, are nothing more than a breeze to the Creator. 

The song is a reminder that God’s hand is always at  work on our behalf, for our benefit. It is a wonderful musical testament to the powerful verse that the apostle Paul penned to the church in Rome. 

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

Moreover, when we are buffeted by the winds of grief, change, distraction, disappointment, and uncertainty, God promises to keep us upright. Even in the midst of a storm. 

“When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,
Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.” Psalm 37:24

Jesus always walks with you. He never leaves you. He is here with you to protect, guide, and keep you on the path that He has for you. 

This morning, as I watched that hawk dip, soar, and glide on the very wind currents that seemed threatening, I was struck by its effortlessness.  The speed of 14-32 miles per hour did not intimidate the hawk. 

Like the eagle, the hawk will soar higher and faster on a day like today. The hawk is a great reminder of an important lesson for us when life threatens to buffet us off course. Sometimes we need to wait for the Lord to show us how He is working on our behalf. 

Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31

Be encouraged my Friend. God’s perspective is greater than what you experience. Heaven’s perspective is more than what you can see, hear, feel, or touch. Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit are at work on your behalf. They serve as your protector and your guide.

If we take hold of God’s hand, wait in His timing, and enjoy His Presence, we can soar like that hawk.  

Grab on to God’s hand—even as the winds buffet you—and like the hawk you will soar higher and faster in who God created you to be and in what He created you to do.