[CrimsonTide4]

God's Thermal of Encouragement

Many of us have experienced that low Spiritual valley where we thought
the sun would never shine again. Some were sent quickly into the valley
by a very specific event; others drifted slowly to the bottom and can't
say by what path they arrived. In either case, we wandered in this
gloom until something began to lift us to new heights.

Isaiah 40:29-31
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 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."

An eagle seems to fly effortlessly through the air with only an
occasional flap of the wings. These great birds are experts at finding
areas of rising air called thermals which allow them to soar without
using any of their own energy.

God uses Spiritual thermals to lift up those who trust in Him. Those
who believe the truth of His Word and diligently search for the rising
currents will be rewarded with effortless soaring. Those who turn to
prayer and undeterred worship will be freed from the heavy baggage which
prevents upward flight. And those who continue to flap but are unable
to climb will receive a lift from a Brother or Sister - a thermal in the
form of encouraging words or deeds.

If we find ourself back in the valley today, we must continue to seek
Him with all our heart and trust that our thermal is on the way - He has
promised to strengthen us and cause us to soar once again! And if we're
currently flying high, we must give praise and honor to our Heavenly
Father; but we must also recognize there are many others in the valley
who desperately need a lift.

God has chosen to use people to accomplish much of His work on earth.
He could have chosen other methods; "If they {the people} keep quiet,
the stones will cry out," (Luke 19:40), but He chose us. We are to
"encourage one another daily," (Hebrews 3:13). Why? Because there is a
valley full of people waiting and hoping for that rising current to lift
them up and set them free.

We have been adopted into the "Family" of God...and our Family needs
each other very much! Let's live a life which glorifies God in all we
do, say, and think; let's dedicated ourselves to soaring high and
looking for those who need God's thermal of encouragement!