For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10
Backpack. Check. Lunchbox. Check. Hat and gloves. Well, hat — good enough. I pulled out of the driveway in the still cold car and headed towards my son’s school.
We live on the edge of town so we enjoy all sorts of wildlife while still being just a few minutes away from most conveniences. As we wound our way down the hill we came upon a flock of wild turkeys casually crossing the road. There were around 25 of them, all ages and sizes, and I had no other choice but to stop the car to allow them to pass.
My son and I laughed at the sheer mass of them as we observed their awkwardness. Eventually, all of them crossed the road except for one small turkey that finally looked up and realized he wasn’t with his clan. Slowly, he began to meander toward the rest of the group. He did not take the direct route but instead, he went this way and that, pecking at the road, seemingly not in any kind of hurry. It was at that moment I realized that we had better get moving or my son would be late for school.
Without thinking I impatiently called out, “Hey, Turkey, God gave you wings, now use them!”
I paused for a moment as I heard my own words echo in my head. I had rarely seen a turkey fly, except when they were chased by one of my black labs or getting ready to roost in our trees. They can fly, in fact they can soar for short bursts up to 55 mph, but their tendency is to stay on the ground.
God gave them wings; He equipped them with what they need. But they don’t use them unless they have to.
Eventually, the little guy crossed the road but I found myself wondering what has God equipped me with that I am choosing not to use (or only using if I absolutely have to). So often I act just like that turkey: pecking away at one thing, distracted by another, and not feeling any real urgency to move forward.
I take the route that seems safest or most comfortable rather than trusting God to help me soar in the direction that He has prepared for me.
Even though He has already equipped me with gifts and talents (Romans 12:6-8), with His Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:5), and through His Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17), sometimes I still hesitate, afraid to take a risk. Perhaps God used that awkward turkey on a cold Midwest morning to remind me of what I already have.
Maybe you find yourself struggling with purpose or fearful to take a step in the direction that you feel God nudging you towards. Remember that God has already equipped you to serve Him wherever you are right now.
He will give you the strength to use all you have been given, so get ready to fly!
Leave a Comment
Elizabeth,
I needed this post today. I am feeling somewhat frustrated and cast down. I am trying to use my gifts, but things, at the moment are not going smoothly. I feel tired and weary. Like the turkey, I know I have wings to fly – God gave me those, but I think I have not been allowing Him to be the wind beneath my wings that lifts me upward – I’ve just been flapping my wings awkwardly on my own trying to muster up flying. Your post reminds me to Be still and wait for Him to lift me up because with Him is the only way I can soar. Thank you…
Blessings,
Bev xx
aaw your post echoes exactly how I feel Elizabeth!
🙂 So glad, Deidre.
Bless you Bev. We all hit those bumps in the road…flapping my wings a bit right now as well!
Thank you, Bev. I’m so glad it spoke to you. There is power in shared experience. Blessings.
Bev,
I’ve hit those bumps lately also! Frustrated with life and its many challenges. I know God will swoop me up soon and give me the burst I need to do His will!
(((((HUGS)))))
Beth,
Here we are…just two turkeys (lol) waiting on an awesome God who won’t leave us stranded and flapping, but will give us what we need to do His will. Waiting on the “burst” with you sweet friend,
Blessings and ((hugs)),
Bev xo
Oh my. This really struck a chord within me. Thank you!
So glad, Mary. Thanks for commenting!
Thank you, Elizabeth. I published a similar post on my site just yesterday. We need to spur one another on and walk in the purposes God has for us – for His glory and our joy.
and thank you Barbara for reminding me that what we do as believers is for His glory AND our joy. I really needed that reminder today. God bless you.
Thanks Laurel and Barbara! 🙂
So thankful for words that affirm all my awkwardness in taking flight — God has given me these wings, and I’m learning to use them, trusting that He will be glorified even in this process of realizing that I’ve been equipped!
Thanks Michele! I appreciate your comments.
I love it! So all day, I’ll be saying to myself, “God gave you wings, sister. Fly!”
🙂 Thanks Jennifer!
This is exactly what we share in our ministry where we talk about equipping people as witnesses for Jesus in every day encounters but I love the way you said it and shared from a moment that was poignant in your life. Beautifully written. Thank you. As I get older, I find that my instant recall isn’t so good and I am inspired by writers like yourself who can remember and pull that memory in a message to glorify God. That is truly from the Holy Spirit. Lord, give us all enough memory to share what YOU are doing in each of our lives to the people we encounter.
Amen
Thank you, Sarah!
Elizabeth.
What a joy to read your post this morning. Thank-you for sharing your gift. Sometimes they might be overlooked, and it’s a matter of recognizing them. As Roman’s 12: 6-8 points out, ( writer, giver, teacher) etc. Yesterday a stranger accused me of not caring or giving enough. I might be mistaken, but it was tolerance I believe in this case I was equipped with.
Have a blessed day all,
Penny
Thank you, Penny. I am glad it was helpful. It is easy to forget. Thank you for commenting. 🙂
And I needed that beautiful writing as I’m learning to fly!
Good for you, Ernestine! Thank you for commenting!
Thank you for sharing your story with us! I’m already studying through 2 Cor so it was a great fit for my quiet time this morning. 🙂
Thanks Jena! I appreciate your comments. 🙂
Excellent thought, Elizabeth. It’s so easy to be the turkey and yet God designed us for so much more if we just take that leap. Thank you for the inspiration!
Thank you, Theresa! I appreciate your comments. 🙂
I so needed this today. I work as an Women’s Shelter Outreach worker and have been feeling burnt out lately. I know God has put me here but I needed to be reminded of that this morning. Thank you.
What beautiful, challenging and important work, Brenda! Glad it was a helpful reminder. Thank you for commenting.
Thank you for sharing these beautiful truths Elizabeth! Blessings and love always xoxo
Thank you, Stephanie! Blessings to you also! Thanks for commenting.
Trying to find what’s next in my early retirement ? Thank you for the encouraging words I look forward to flying
Congratulations, Gail! And thank you for your comments.
It’s interesting to me how God puts verses in my face repeatedly when He is trying to tell me something…thank you for sharing your thoughts!
That is so great when that happens! Thank you for your comments, Shauna.
I’ve compared myself in lots of ways but never to a turkey. I do feel like I peck around and am always in someone’s way but the other day my mother told me I soared, maybe I’ve got wings after all, and I’m in the devil’s way, too bad, he loses to Jesus everytime.
I laughed out loud, Rebecca! 🙂 A turkey is definitely not the most glamorous of comparisons for sure! Thank you for your comments.
This is a joy to read your post this afternoon. I am feeling that same way Bev, frustrated and cast down, but I know who my redeemer is. I really needed that reminder today. God bless you Elizabeth.
God’s blessings to you too. Thank you for your comments.
I too @ 83,am struggling. I truly believe that my gifts/strengths can still
Sorry to not see the rest of your post, PY, but praying for you in your struggles.
Thanks so much for this. I know God has equipped me, but I still second guess myself all the time. Seems I can’t seem to skip that step before relaxing and trusting. Going to ponder on this a while.
You aren’t alone in second guessing, Mary. (Have you heard Sara Groves song “Second Guess Girl”? She may have written it about me!) Thanks for your comments.
Such a great analogy, Elizabeth! What a gift to read. Love you, my dear sister in Christ!
Thank you, Jodi. 🙂 Love to you too.
Thanks Elizabeth. This surely is an encouragement that I needed. So, thanks once again and God bless you.
Thank you, Lizzy Julia! I am glad. God’s blessings to you. too.
This is a beautiful and very relevant post! Thank you!
Thank you, Lauren. God Bless.
Loved this, Elizabeth, and loved how your beautifully written words resonated with so many! How exciting that God is using your gifts and talents to encourage others in the faith! Think my creative writing is like the turkey’s flying…I don’t use the skills very often…sometimes I think I need a little yell from God to get me going! Thanks for this! Keep it up, girl:)
Thanks for the encouragement and kind comments, Lora! 🙂
Wow….timely and boy, did I need to hear/read this! Thank you.
Thank you, Connie! I’m glad. 🙂
Elizabeth,
‘God has already equipped you to serve Him wherever you are right now.’ I guess for now my wings must walk the road of aging parents & dementia. I’m frustrated where God has me, but I know He has plans for me and my life! I will try to encourage everyone I see and make their day better. May soon I can really fly!!
Blessings 🙂
That is the hard part. We are equipped even if it isn’t necessarily where we would choose to be. I have some experience with the road you are on (my grandmother and as well as professionally) and it is so difficult. I can tell you from the other side that I have seen many blessings come out of that personal experience. However, I know that when you are in the thick of it, seeing is difficult. I am sure you are a blessing to your parents. Praying for you.
I really liked your post Elizabeth and would like to share on our church’s fb page. The idea of being “equipped” to do God’s work is pertinent right now…and always really. I liked your post and hope I have you permission to share it…giving you the credit for writing it, of course. Thanks.
Thank you, Jan. Yes, of course you have my permission. I appreciate you asking. I am glad that it spoke to you. 🙂
Thank you Elizabeth! I need those words to remind me that God has placed me where I am and I just have to step out with faith!
I am so glad, Naomi! Thank you for commenting. 🙂