There’s something to be said about trying.
And there’s something to be said about those times when whatever it is we’re trying to accomplish just happens.
Ponder this with me for a moment: that little baby bird standing at the edge of it’s oh-so-safe nest. And the next thing he (or she) knows, Momma bird shoves him over the edge because it’s time — it’s the right thing to do. Although I’m bettng that’s not what the baby bird is thinking as he’s flapping and falling . . .
And then he’s flying.
Not because he knows what to do . . . but because it’s what he’s made to do.
Until he left the nest — left this comfort zone with an unexpected shove from the one who represented safety and home to him — that bird didn’t know the sky was meant for him. He didn’t know that flying was effortless . . . that he didn’t even have to think about it.
I’ve had moments where God has shoved me from behind and said “Get out there . . . you’re not meant to stay here.”
Why is God forcing me to leave my nice, warm comfort zone – the place I liked best of all? I knew I’d fall . . . and then, I looked up, and all I saw were unexpected, wide-open horizons.
Joy.
In Your Words: When has God moved you into something unexpected — and you’ve found yourself flying, embracing the truth of who you are in a whole new way?
[Tweet “Bird Mentality: You Were Meant For This #lifequotes #Purpose”] [Tweet “Forget About Try . . . Do #lifequotes #purpose”]
Comments 11
Great quote & an important reminder. Thinking too much can often paralyze me. As a kid I couldn’t quite figure out how to ride my bike until across the park I saw my little sister tumble down a coal chute. Without realizing it, I was on my bike, across the park, and able to pull her out in an instant. I realized I had done it and was able to ride from then on. Same think happened regarding riding a ski hill rope tow. Lesson learned, re-learned, and a good reminder to me now.
Author
Love the story of your sister … and how you didn’t realize you were riding the bike until you needed to be riding the bike.
Beth, great example. I was just watching some birds flying high in the sky this morning. 🙂 And yes, I thought about how much they trust God. They don’t understand how they fly. They just do it because that’s how God made them. Funny how we’re totally on the same track today.
God revealed something about myself to me last week that knocked me off my feet. It was a hard thing to realize, but it made sense from where I’ve come from. The thing is, I didn’t know this thing, this habit, was blocking my trust from God. So now I’m working on breaking a nearly-27-year habit so I can trust God with all of me. Not only all of me, but all of my future. Everything. I want Him to know that I trust Him. I want to feel complete and utter trust in Him. Kind of like those trust tests where you turn around and fall backwards, squeezing your eyes tight for the impact in case your friend forgets to catch you. Well, God will always catch me, but I still find myself crunching my eyes closed. I’m trying to learn to fall (and live) with my eyes wide open. Pure trust. That’s really hard. But oh-so-necessary. Can’t wait to feel the awesomeness.
Blessings,
Andrea
Proofreader/Writer
writingtoinspire.blogspot.com
Author
Oh, Andrea:
I so apreciate your comment today … and your desire to trust God eyes-wide-open.
Thanks, Beth. Your words are so comforting.
Great post, Beth! I do like my comfort zones, this is true. And yes, God’s pushed me out of more than one of them to help me discover more of who He created me to be. Writing has been the biggest shove He’s given me. Saying I want to be published, and pursuing it? Has me flying, and depending on Him to lift me and guide me. I love how God nudges (okay, sometimes pushes) us to the place where we do what we’re made to do.
Author
I do believe God is all about nudging (pushing) us out of our comfort zones so that he can become our refuge and our strength.
This is going to sound strange, but a snow/ice storm woke me up to something. We’d left Corinth with the weather in the 70s on December 22. Beautiful day. Of course the weatherman had predicted snow and ice for the next day, but even if it did come the storm, no way would the streets freeze over. After all it was practically 80 degrees. That night, two hundred miles from home as a cold north wind began to blow and reports of icing on the roadway I realized this was not something I could control. That no matter what I did, I couldn’t stop the ice and snow headed our way and would affect our travel the next day. Nothing. Nada. I was not in control. God was. And he was bringing snow and ice.
I’ve never been the same since. I learned that night something that I’d always known but didn’t completely embrace. There is a God and it’s not me. Now when I try to play God, He brings that memory fresh to my mind.
Great post, as always.
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Isn’t it funny what God uses to teach us lessons … that he’s God and we’re not?
Yeah … that’s a vital lesson to learn — and remember, over and over again.
Loved this analogy, Beth. I think, for me, the writing world has been a lot of this.
“Not because he knows what to do . . . but because it’s what he’s made to do.”
That gave me such pause because so often writing is that for me, and I realize how much I rely on him and his nudging and always, always, his faithfulness:) It’s all him, none of me!
Author
Oh, the lessons I’ve learned as I’ve walked, run, tripped, fallen, and done it all over again along the writing road!