Soaring Birds and Flying Squirrels
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
“No bird soars in a calm.” – Wilbur Wright
I just started reading a book by David McCullough about the Wright Brothers. McCullough, who passed away in 2022, was a two-time winner of both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. Among his literary masterpieces were biographies on John Adams, Theodore Roosevelt, and Harry S. Truman. He also wrote books about the Brooklyn Bridge, the Panama Canal, and the Johnstown Flood.
In 2006, McCullough was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, our nation’s highest civilian award.
Getting back to the Wright Brothers, Wilbur was younger than Orville, but slightly more outgoing and expressive. And so, the insight he shared in today’s quote is not only revealing, but also worth elaborating on.
God gave birds the ability to fly by flapping their wings. However, in order to effortlessly soar above the earth, they require a helping breeze. So do “flying” squirrels, Deanna and I learned the other day while watching a documentary about the Mississippi River on the Smithsonian Channel. These members of the Rodentia family (i.e. rodents) don’t actually fly, they glide on air currents by using their patagium, a furred skin membrane that stretches from their wrists to their ankles.
In other words, without the wind to lift them up, flying squirrels become plummeting squirrels.
My friend, if we want to soar above our circumstances as believers, we need the Holy Spirit’s help. Sometimes, He lifts us up on eagle’s wings and sometimes, He creates or allows just enough turbulence in the air to keep us aloft.
Start soaring, my friend!
“But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 (BSB)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
