Parable of the Two Birds...

I was thinking to myself on the drive to work one night about the meaning of Gift of Flight Ministries and the meaning of it's name. Over the course of this vision, it has meant several things to me. At first it was a vision of a free recording studio for Christian artists who couldn't afford to pay a studio and get God's message out there. This ministry was called Gift of Flight Productions. I came to learn
that it would be bigger than that. The second wave was a total reboot. I threw away the idea of a studio due to lack of space, time, and funding and replaced it with an evangelism ministry at NCA (Niles Christian Assembly). A ministry where people who normally would never set foot in a building with a steeple could learn about the free gift of salvation through fun and non-threatening events with no message other than the example we, the believers, would give them... No--we're closer and that may be a part of it, but it's still bigger. Then I came to see a movement online where the body of Christ was meeting through social networks, hearing sermons and spiritual dialogue through podcasts, and building relationships online. It was another way that those who had been burned by the institutional church could be fed and continue to keep the command of not forsaking the fellowship of believers. This also helped the bedridden and sick who couldn't leave there homes. I was intrigued to say the least. The only trouble I had was that this movement also claimed that because God is love, sin doesn't separate us from Him. After all how can you reject salvation and grace when it is a free gift?

So what does this have to do with Gift of Flight Ministries? What revelation was given to me through this? Why did God give me a fascination with birds and flight?

Reason 1: truth and correction for what I like to call "the Christian Hippie Movement."

I saw a vision in my spirit of two young birds in a nest. Neither of them had ever flown or even attempted to leave the nest before. They knew naturally and had been taught by their mother that there is more than just this nest. They had also been taught that they both had a free gift, the gift of flight. They didn't do anything to earn this free gift, they were destined to have it before they even hatched. Then the mother bird did as birds in the wild do. She told the two it was time and pushed them out. As they fell toward the earth below one of the young birds started to flap his wings with a passion, giving it his best effort to take flight. His brother looked at him laughing and said, "What are you doing? Flight is a free gift, you don't have to work for it. Quit flapping like a fool!" At no more than a moments notice their conversation was over. The bird who was struggling to fly began to hover at the ground. He saw his brother, lifeless, laying on the floor of the forest. Proof that even though flight was a free gift, they could still fall from it. The bird who survived accepted his free gift and USED it! The one who was arrogant and ignorant to the truth didn't truly accept his gift because he didn't use it or apply it to his life...

"For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone WHO BELIEVES IN HIM will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 (NLT) emphasis mine.

Reason 2: encouragement and strength for believers.

"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (NLT)

At the beginning of the vision I wasn't sure what type of bird I was seeing, but as it continued it became more relevant and apparent to me. The surviving bird flew into the sky with great joy, tossing in the wind, diving toward the earth, jetting back towards the clouds! He was young, free, and full of joy--but then the tests came. With one great storm I saw a time lapse of his life and saw what he would become. When the storms came he hit them head on, not backing down, trusting in his gift. He sailed into hurricane strong winds and suffered trial after trial learning that just because he was able to fly didn't mean life would be joyful 100% of the time. I saw him disappear into the clouds. Time seemed to pause as I wondered what would become of him. My vision then shifted towards the sky where I saw him emerge from the storm to fly above it as a majestic eagle. He trusted in his gift and it carried him through and above the storm until it had passed.

"But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)

I hope this blesses you as it blessed me.