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The Eagle, and Waiting to Discerning God’s Will Before You Act

By Anita Mathias

eagle

 

The eagle waits at the edge of its nest for the winds of the storm to gain velocity. Once the storm is strong enough, it spreads its magnificent wings, and allows the storm to carry it where it wills.

By waiting for the wind to gain velocity before it flies, “it can run and not be weary, walk, and not be faint.” It wastes not an ounce of energy.

* * *

I think we can avoid much wasted effort if we do not act until the winds of the Spirit are strong, until we are sure we are flying with the wind of the Spirit, not without it, or, heaven forbid, against it.

And this is a learned skill.

I have been impulsive and impressionable for much of my life, and this does not make me rejoice. I look back on wasted efforts; projects committed to impulsively and later abandoned; or grimly seen through but without much fruit. Things done that came to nothing.

It is perhaps the story of many lives, but it does not have to be.

I have noticed the enormous difference even in small things– like deciding if and where to go on holiday, and what to do there—when I pray about it, and wait for guidance. It leaves me quite disinclined to commit to things, if I have not heard God’s guidance on whether I should be doing them. I now do not like to go through a weekend, or a vacation day without checking with God to see what ideas he may have for my day!

* * *

 “Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor and the enemy of the people,” Ann Lamott says.  I have, for decades, allowed my writing life to be poisoned by the stress and sadness of perfectionism.

“What we want is not more little books about Christianity, but more little books by Christians on other subjects—with their Christianity latent,” C.S. Lewis wrote.

So, I am trying to lower the bar–which is the best way to write well.

Apart from “little  books,”–and I have just finished one which is with editors–I am trying to discipline myself to write more “little blogs,” 400-500 words (rather than my normal 800-1200 word blogs)– a single thought, a single insight, a single blessing, slight perhaps. I will write these on the off-chance that what spoke to me might speak to others.

Christian bloggers can play a prophetic role if they record what they hear the Lord saying to them. For He might be saying the same thing to others too, and perhaps our little blog is one way in which he will speak to our readers. Perhaps. God willing!

 


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Filed Under: In which I explore writing and blogging and creativity Tagged With: Ann Lamott, blogger, blogging, blogging daily, discernment, eagles, guidance

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Comments

  1. LA says

    October 10, 2012 at 1:30 pm

    BTW, your blog officially rocks! The whole subscription thing is sweet!! Thank you both for your hard work in moving this over to the new system!!

    • Anita Mathias says

      October 10, 2012 at 7:10 pm

      Thanks so much for your encouragement, LA!

  2. Harriet Ryan says

    October 10, 2012 at 9:25 am

    A perfectly timed and reassuringly helpful blog. Many thanks

    • Anita Mathias says

      October 10, 2012 at 7:09 pm

      Harriet! Thank you for following my blog on Facebook, and visiting me here 🙂

  3. LA says

    October 9, 2012 at 12:33 pm

    One for the wish list….generally, when you read a post, you want to comment after you’ve read it, but there is no “leave a comment” link at the end, you have to scroll back up to the top. If Mr. Roy could add the link at the bottom, it would be awesome!

    Overall, I like your WordPress better. I love how the comments remember my name and email from last time. I also love how I don’t lose all my comment work every time I go to another tab in safari to look something up. (Blogger kept reloading the comment page).

    I like the fact that you will blog when the spirit moves you to…but I want to say that the 30 months you spent blogging each day was not wasted effort. It set up good habits. Good writing habits. Mr. Covey says that you have to do something for a while to develop good habits…and I know from experience that he’s right. But now that the habit is established, you can let go and allow a more natural rhythm to emerge. My one worry is that you will refrain from blogging when the spirit moves you…even if the spirit is moving you to write two entries a day.

    And I personally like the longer, meatier format of your blog. I’ve moved from reading a variety down to you, the Beaker Folk (even though they won’t let me comment anymore without a troublesome login), and a few others that I check into less regularly. The meatier posts are vastly superior to my reading tastes then the simple one-trick-ponies other bloggers write. I think we have, in our culture, moved way too far into the sound byte world. Unable to hold our attention too long in one spot, we bounce from idea to idea without digging into the meat. I call it “sitcom syndrome” or “fast food thinking” where we expect everything to be solved in 30minutes minus commercials or get our information in a Big Mac time frame. I like how when I read your blogs you take the time necessary to build an idea…to formulate it slowly without rush. Like the difference between eating at MacDonalds or eating at La Scala. I savor each morsel of thought without rush…and am all the richer for it. Please don’t yield to any pressure to shorten your posts: they are the length they need to be to satisfy your writing style-and it is a style many appreciate, I’m sure.

    I have a friend who is an incredible musician. She has a style all her own and really moves the people who appreciate her style. Her Joanie Mitchel-eske style is not for everyone and she laments constantly about not getting crowds at her recitals. But the following she does have is extraordinarily moved and filled with God by what she does. She feels like she needs to be all things to all people in order to get more butts-in-seats for her recitals but then her music is watered down with styles that she doesn’t “own” and she is no longer answering to her higher calling. As a friend once told me…”say what is in your heart…God has always placed someone out there who needs to hear exactly what you have to say”. Numbers aren’t the key…it’s reaching the people God has placed in your path to hear exactly what you have to say.

    • Administrator says

      October 9, 2012 at 11:10 pm

      Hi LA, I think we have fixed that comment thingie. Thanks for pointing it out.

      I really should read Covey’s book. I am sure I will love it.

      Yes, I should make sure I do blog when the spirit is moving. Putting things off for later, or because they appear insignificant at first glance can lead to blogger’s block. Often, it appears insignificant because just the first or final thought in a sequence has popped into consciousness. As you writes, you realize why the idea was nudging you.

      Thank you so much for your feedback on the length of the posts. It is true that I naturally think in 800-1200 words, and the recommended blog length is 500-800!

      “As a friend once told me…”say what is in your heart…God has always placed someone out there who needs to hear exactly what you have to say”. Numbers aren’t the key…it’s reaching the people God has placed in your path to hear exactly what you have to say.” Wow, love that. Thanks for your encouragement!!

      Peace,
      Ax

  4. Debra Seiling says

    October 9, 2012 at 2:12 am

    Dear Anita, I especially liked this comment on your blog post, “I think we can avoid much wasted effort if we do not act until the winds of the Spirit are strong, until we are sure we are flying with the wind of the Spirit, not without it, or, heaven forbid, against it.” It give me lots to think about. I, too, like to ask God’s advice, but I’ven never thought about it in this way before.

    Thanks for sharing all your recent decisions. As a fellow blogger, it was interesting to read the information about frequency of blogging and page views not being affected by not blogging daily and perfectionism. I can identify. I will sometimes go back to a blog post several times to update it and to make it even better.

    I have one question. Will your blogs postings still come to my Blogger Dashboard or do I need to sign up again as a follower on the new blog site? Debbie Seiling http://bible-passages.blogspot.com and http://christian-overeaters.blogspot.com

    • Administrator says

      October 9, 2012 at 11:59 am

      Debra, thank you so much for reading and your comment.

      I am afraid the new posts will not automatically show up on your blogger dashboard. I believe you will need to sign up for the RSS feed shown on the blog for that. Or perhaps like the Facebook page.

      I dilly-dallied about the move because of the hassle to myself and my blog readers, but I think this theme offers more possibilities, and will look better (once I learn how to use it!!)

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anita.mathias

https://anitamathias.com/.../on-using-anger-as-a-t https://anitamathias.com/.../on-using-anger-as-a-trigger.../ link in bio
Hi friends, Here's my latest podcast meditation. I'm meditating through the Gospel of Matthew.
Do not judge, Jesus says, and you too will escape harsh judgement. So once again, he reiterates a law of human life and of the natural world—sowing and reaping. 
Being an immensely practical human, Jesus realises that we are often most “triggered” when we observe our own faults in other people. And the more we dwell on the horrid traits of people we know in real life, politicians, or the media or internet-famous, the more we risk mirroring their unattractive traits. 
So, Jesus suggests that, whenever we are intensely annoyed by other people to immediately check if we have the very same fault. And to resolve to change that irritating trait in ourselves. 
Then, instead of wasting time in fruitless judging, we will experience personal change.
And as for us who have been judgey, we still live “under the mercy” in Charles Williams’ phrase. We must place the seeds we have sown into the garden of our lives so far into God’s hands and ask him to let the thistles and thorns wither and the figs and grapes bloom. May it be so!
Spring in England= Joy=Bluebells=Singing birds. I Spring in England= Joy=Bluebells=Singing birds. I love it.
Here are some images of Shotover Park, close to C. S. Lewis's house, and which inspired bits of Narnia and the Lord of the Rings. Today, however, it's covered in bluebells, and loud with singing birds.
And, friends, I've been recording weekly podcast meditations on the Gospel of Matthew. It's been fun, and challenging to settle down and think deeply, and I hope you'll enjoy them.
I'm now in the Sermon on the Mount, in which Jesus details all the things we are not to worry about at all, one of which is food--too little, or too much, too low in calories, or too high. We are, instead, to do everything we do in his way (seek first the Kingdom and its righteousness, and all this will fall into place!).
Have a listen: https://anitamathias.com/2023/05/03/do-not-worry-about-what-to-eat-jesus/ and link in bio
“See how the flowers of the field grow. They do “See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labour or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. Or a king on his coronation day.
So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” 
Of course, today, we are more likely to worry that sugary ultra-processed foods everywhere will lead to weight gain and compromise our health. But Jesus says, “Don’t worry,” and in the same sermon (on the mount), suggests other strategies…like fasting, which brings a blessing from God, for instance, while burning stored fat. And seeking God’s kingdom, as Jesus recommends, could involve getting fit on long solitary prayer walks, or while walking with friends, as well as while keeping up with a spare essentialist house, and a gloriously over-crowded garden. Wild birds eat intuitively and never gain weight; perhaps, the Spirit, on request, will guide us to the right foods for our metabolisms. 
I’ve recorded a meditation on these themes (with a transcript!). https://anitamathias.com/2023/05/03/do-not-worry-about-what-to-eat-jesus/
https://anitamathias.com/2023/05/03/do-not-worry-a https://anitamathias.com/2023/05/03/do-not-worry-about-what-to-eat-jesus/
Jesus advised his listeners--struggling fishermen, people living on the edge, without enough food for guests, not to worry about what they were going to eat. Which, of course, is still shiningly relevant today for many. 
However, today, with immense societal pressure to be slender, along with an obesogenic food environment, sugary and carby food everywhere, at every social occasion, Jesus’s counsel about not worrying about what we will eat takes on an additional relevance. Eat what is set about you, he advised his disciples, as they went out to preach the Gospel. In this age of diet culture and weight obsession, Jesus still shows us how to live lightly, offering strategies like fasting (which he promises brings us a reward from God). 
What would Jesus’s way of getting fitter and healthier be? Fasting? Intuitive spirit-guided eating? Obeying the great commandment to love God by praying as we walk? Listening to Scripture or excellent Christian literature as we walk, thanks to nifty headphones. And what about the second commandment, like the first—to love our neighbour as ourselves? Could we get fitter running an essentialist household? Keeping up with the garden? Walking with friends? Exercising to be fit enough to do what God has called us to do?
This meditation explores these concerns. #dietculture #jesus #sermononthemount #meditation #excercise #thegreatcommandment #dontworry 
https://anitamathias.com/2023/05/03/do-not-worry-about-what-to-eat-jesus/
Kefalonia—it was a magical island. Goats and she Kefalonia—it was a magical island. Goats and sheep with their musical bells; a general ambience of relaxation; perfect, pristine, beaches; deserted mountains to hike; miles of aimless wandering in landscapes of spring flowers. I loved it!
And, while I work on a new meditation, perhaps have a listen to this one… which I am meditating on because I need to learn it better… Jesus’s tips on how to be blessed by God, and become happy!! https://anitamathias.com/2023/04/25/happy-are-the-merciful-for-they-shall-be-shown-mercy/ #kefalonia #family #meditation #goats
So… just back from eight wonderful days in Kefal So… just back from eight wonderful days in Kefalonia. All four of us were free at the same time, so why not? Sun, goats, coves, bays, caves, baklava, olive bread, magic, deep relaxation.
I hadn’t realised that I needed a break, but having got there, I sighed deeply… and relaxed. A beautiful island.
And now… we’re back, rested. It’s always good to sink into the words of Jesus, and I just have. Here’s a meditation on Jesus’s famous Beatitudes, his statements on who is really happy or blessed, which turns our value judgements on their heads. I’d love it if you listened or read it. Thanks, friends.
https://anitamathias.com/2023/04/25/happy-are-the-merciful-for-they-shall-be-shown-mercy/
#kefalonia #beatitudes #meditation #family #sun #fun
https://anitamathias.com/2023/04/25/happy-are-the- https://anitamathias.com/2023/04/25/happy-are-the-merciful-for-they-shall-be-shown-mercy/
Meditating on a “beatitude.”… Happy, makarios, or blessed are the merciful, Jesus says, articulating the laws of sowing and reaping which underlie the universe, and human life.
Those who dish out mercy, and go through life gently and kindly, have a happier, less stressful experience of life, though they are not immune from the perils of our broken planet, human greed polluting our environment and our very cells, deceiving and swindling us. The merciless and unkind, however, sooner or later, find the darkness and trouble they dish out, haunting them in turn.
Sowing and reaping, is, of course, a terrifying message for us who have not always been kind and merciful!
But the Gospel!... the tender Fatherhood of God, the fact that the Lord Christ offered to bear the sentence, the punishment for the sins of the world-proportionate because of his sinlessness.  And in that divine exchange, streams of mercy now flow to us, slowly changing the deep structure of our hearts, minds, and characters.
And so, we can go through life gently and mercifully, relying on Jesus and his Holy Spirit to begin and complete the work of transformation in us, as we increasingly become gentle, radiant children of God.
Beautiful England. And a quick trip with Irene. A Beautiful England. And a quick trip with Irene.
And, here’s a link to a meditation I’ve recorded on the power of Christ’s resurrection, for us, today… and, as always, there’s a transcript, for those who’d rather read it.
https://anitamathias.com/2023/04/13/the-power-in-christs-resurrection-for-us-today/
#england #beautifulengland #meditation
Hi Friends, I've recorded a new meditation for Ea Hi Friends,
I've recorded a new meditation for Easter. Here's a link to the recording, and as always, there's a transcript if you'd rather read it. And I have an attempt at a summary below!!
https://anitamathias.com/2023/04/13/the-power-in-christs-resurrection-for-us-today/
“Do not be afraid,” is the first sentence the risen Christ says. Because his resurrection frees him from the boundaries of space and time, in each room we enter, Christ is with us--and his Spirit, who helps us change our hearts, our characters, and our lives. 
The seismic power which raised Christ from the dead is now available to us, for the issues of our lives, helping us conquer addictions, bad habits, and distressing character traits.
We access this dynamite power by practising prayer. We need, first of all, to slow down, and bathe and saturate our lives in prayer, praying for wisdom and blessing for, before, and during everything we do. 
And as God answers, our faith progressively increases, our characters change, and we begin to experience God’s miracles in our lives.
And a prayer:
Oh God of resurrection, 
Come with your dynamite power into our lives.
We put our old dreams and our new ones into your hands.
Bring them to life. Make them glow. 
Come like a mighty burst of spring into our lives
Bringing apparently dead relationships, dreams, 
The things we once loved, 
And all our dormant potential to radiant life.
We put our lives into your hands.
Make them beautiful.
Come Lord Jesus.
Amen
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