Have you ever considered the differences between an eagle and a crow? Not just the obvious differences, but the ones that most people don't think about. Eagles and crows are very different types of birds beyond what we see. For example, the eagle is a bird of prey with a wingspan ranging from 72 to 90 inches, and can fly to an altitude of 10,000 feet. During level flight, they can achieve speeds of about 30 to 35 miles per hour. Bald eagles weigh from 10 to 14 pounds; they are lightweight, because their bones are hollow. They have 7,000 feathers, and may live as long as 30 years. The eagle's lifting power is about 4 pounds. They sit at the top of the food chain, and their diet consists mainly of fish. They are strong swimmers, have excellent eyesight, and their hunting area is from 1,700 to 10,000 acres. Eagles build their nests in large trees near rivers or coasts, where there is an abundant supply of fresh food, and mate for life. (1)
Now, let's take a look at the crow: Crows can be found almost anywhere, in treetops, fields, and roadsides, and in habitats ranging from open woods and empty beaches to town centers and garbage dumps. They usually feed on the ground and eat almost anything – typically earthworms, insects and other small animals, seeds, and fruit but also garbage, carrion, and chicks they rob from nests. Their flight style is unique, a patient, methodical flapping that is rarely broken up with glides. They are often seen raiding garbage cans and picking over discarded food containers. Crows are very aggressive and often chase away larger birds including hawks, owls and herons. In folklore, a flock of crows is referred to as a
murder. (2)
Many times we feel bad because of not fitting in or being "uninvited" to events where everyone seems to be doing what pleases the crowd, and we wonder :"Why"? When we see the same people involved in activities that don't match the ministry they claim to have, or their lives are very different in private to what they portray in public, we wonder what we are doing wrong, or sometimes feel that God has forgotten about us. Well, He hasn't! He says:
Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,
or, whine, Israel, saying,
"God has lost track of me.
He doesn't care what happens to me"?
Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening?
God doesn't come and go. God lasts.
He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath.
And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don't get tired,
they walk and don't lag behind.
(Isaiah 40:30-31- The Message)
You don't fit in, because you are an eagle! Eagles are not like crows at all. Eagles know who they are; they don't fight with other birds, they are particular about where they live, and what they eat. You won't find an eagle living around a garbage dump, picking through the trash. But, unlike the eagle and the crow who have no choice in what they are, we have the power to choose how we will live. God sees, and knows all. We can fly like eagles, or we can pick with the crows. The choice is ours. So, which one will you be?
an Eagle...
or a Crow?
Selah...
References:
1.http://www.baldeagleinfo.com/eagle/eagle-facts.html
2.
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Crow/id
(Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV)
