Stop, Renew, Soar: The Power of Waiting.
Finding Strength in Taking a Pause.
Where are you running to?
As you step into 2025, it’s natural to feel the rush—plans being made, resolutions written, and goals set in stone. But as a believer, this time also calls you to pause. To take a breath. To wait on the Lord and seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance for what He wants us to do in this new year. Even the Bible encourages us to wait:
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31).
This verse speaks not only of renewal but also of soaring—much like the eagle. This is central to an incredible lesson I recently learned through the WOFBEC’25 program.
Eagles, known for their strength and majesty, live up to 70 years. But by the time they reach 40 years, they face a life-altering decision: to die or to be reborn. At this stage, their beaks become brittle, their talons lose their grip, and their feathers grow heavy, making flight nearly impossible. Choosing rebirth means retreating to a mountaintop for 150 days. There, the eagle sheds its old beak, talons, and feathers, allowing new ones to grow. For five months, it endures hunger and pain, but when the process is complete, it soars once more—stronger, renewed, and ready for another 30 years of life.
Five months of waiting for 30 years of thriving. What a trade-off.
Waiting is rarely easy. Like the eagle’s rebirth, it can be uncomfortable, even painful. But it is also vital. Waiting is a time of renewal, a time to gain direction, clarity, and strength for the journey ahead. The temptation to hit the ground running is strong, especially when it feels like others are getting ahead. But rushing forward without preparation can leave you unready for the storms that inevitably arise.
This brings to mind a story from Matthew 14:22-33. After feeding the 5,000 with just five loaves and
two fishes, Jesus sent His disciples ahead by boat while He retreated to a mountain to pray. Out at sea, the disciples encountered a storm they hadn’t planned for. But in the darkest hour—the fourth watch of the night—Jesus, who had stayed back to pray, walked on water and caught up with them in the storm.
The lesson? Waiting and tarrying don’t delay you; they prepare you. Jesus’ time in prayer didn’t hold Him back—it empowered Him to walk above the storm.
What are you preparing for this new year?
Resist the urge to rush forward blindly. Embrace the waiting period as an opportunity to pray, reflect, and be renewed. When the time comes, like the eagle after its rebirth or Jesus walking on water, you will soar, catch up, and even overtake.