Higher Things

Even tiny finches

live in a dimension

far above mine—

perching on light poles,

playing among tree blossoms,

drinking sweet nectar.

But you, Lord, also call me

to higher things,

to not stay prisoner

to dust and traffic

and corruption.

You say my name

and my soul rises

to meet with you.

You give a

panoramic view,

instilling understanding

in place of hopelessness.

You take my deep fatigue

and turn it into rest,

the kind where

I lay back

onto your chest,

and when you lift me up

to soar like a small

clinging eaglet

I know your wings

hold me aloft.

You own the skies

as well as earth.

I watch the birds

slice the high reaches

and remember,

joy rising,

that – with you – I can fly.

Today we will take off, flying up into the sky to wing it through the night to Paris. Then we navigate the airport to find our next flight, wait for boarding, then board. The engines begin roaring; we whip down the runway and glide into the clouds, past eagles and any other winged things. The miracle of soaring so high we cannot see land takes us into the beyond. Then hours later the plane will slowly dip, the rain forest and then the sprawling city come into view. The plane turns around and lands on the African continent.

Wow! We are so used to airplanes that sometimes we can forget what an amazing gift they are. What used to take days or weeks, crossing the ocean on ships, now happens in a day. The time and weather change hits home as we step out into hot, humid Abidjan. Thankfully, the next day we will be driving north into the dry season in the woodland savanna: cool nights and warm days. Not sweltering.

All this contemplation of flight is here to take you with us on a journey into the metaphors of flying!

If you worship God Most High (אֵל עֶלְיוֹן, ‘el ‘elyon in Hebrew) you are aligned with the exalted ruler of the entire universe.

He has astonishing ties of love to the humans he has created, and is intimately involved with those who are united with him:

I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. (Ps. 57:2 ESV)

He not only is King of the World and has a plan for it, he has a purpose for each of his own. When we stay bonded to him, we are still aware of all that is going on around us on this dusty earth but when we look up to the Most High, and keep our heart’s eyes fixed on him, we find hope. He is in charge, in charge of everything. So even though the nations rage, they do not have control over the endgame.

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? (Ps. 2:1 ESV)

Earth’s leaders and local bullies may think they have power to do as they please, but that psalm goes on to say that the Lord “laughs” at them—they are not the ones who rule the universe after all.  His Chosen One, his Son, is King. So  all should respect his sovereignty! The Lord closes by saying:

¹⁰ Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. ¹¹ Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. ¹² Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. (Ps. 2:10-12 ESV)

Earthly rulers tend to exult in their own power, but when they do not respect the commands of Yahweh, the Most High, they will be judged for their evil and all the suffering they have brought about. The opposite is true of each person who is wholly devoted to the Most High, to Jesus the King. They can turn to him for comfort in the present whirlwind, knowing that he holds the future in his hand, and even if they don’t live to see it they have safety in his care forever. Remember, he is preparing a perfect place for them, for all of us who love him. And when we trust the Most High we can soar with renewed strength in the here and now:

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isa. 40:31 NIV)

Another psalm I love is this one that uses the metaphor of a “weaned child” for the person who leans on Yahweh in complete trust:

My heart is not proud, LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. ² But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. ³ Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore. (Ps. 131:1-3 NIV)

It was originally written to Israel, but we are now part of his chosen people. So think about how this  picture of the “weaned child” depicts complete contentment and trust. I breastfed my three babies, so I remember how when they needed comfort or felt hungry, if I lifted them up to hold them close they would start rooting around for that source of milk. But once they had been weaned, if they were crying and I lifted them up, they would sit quietly on my lap, head on my chest—not rooting, just absorbing consolation and love.

Think about it: the King of the Universe wants us to lean quietly against him, finding peace. Are you suffering some kind of foreboding these days? Are you dealing with grief over loss of a loved one, or unexpected disaster like high winds that demolish all that is stable (like in Los Angeles), or political turmoil that feels like high winds? Whatever it is. here is the invitation to fly above the sorrow or angst, to see things from the Most High’s point of view, to rest. Even if this is a good day with great things in view around you, when you fly with the Most High you find yourself wrapped in love.

You say my name
and my soul rises
to meet with you.
You give a 
panoramic view,
instilling understanding
in place of hopelessness.

You take my deep fatigue
and turn it into rest,
the kind where
I lay back
onto your chest,
and when you lift me up
to soar like a small
clinging eaglet
I know your wings
hold me aloft.