THE CHILDREN'S EXPERIENCES

An interesting verse of Scripture, Deuteronomy 32: 11, describes how the eagle stirs up its nest when it is time for the young birds to fly. The thorny twigs from underneath the eyrie then make it uncomfortable for them to stay. But also the mother bird hovers over the fledglings and even takes them on her wingfeathers so that they should learn quickly how to fly by themselves.

All this helps to explain God's ways with us, His children. Even when quite young we may have disappointments, illnesses or things at school which trouble us in a way which perhaps only our Father, who sees in secret, knows about. Therefore, like the eaglets, we learn that we have a life of our own to lead.

Then, like the hovering of the eagle, we are shown through godly believers how they use the power of faith to maintain their spiritual life. Older persons can look back and see how much they have been influenced by this without, perhaps, knowing it.

God's compassions fail not and, for His own sake, He is able to carry us and bring us to Himself on eagles' wings. This word-picture is, I suppose, the fastest means of creature travel - faster even than a cheetah or a galloping horse!

If a young eagle does not open its wings it has, of course, no power to fly. Thus, if we do not use God-given faith, we shall lose the joy of life in Christ Jesus. Do you realise that the power you have in the Holy Spirit is as great as God's purpose for you?

J.C.Evershed

London