The Chained Eagle

December 28, 2007

Many people resolve to do this or that, change this or that, break a bad habit, or start a new one. Sometimes it works; often it doesn't. Is this because so many of us are like the bird in the following story?

A man once owned an eagle, and for many years kept him chained to a stake. Every day the eagle walked around and around that stake, and over time wore a rut in the ground. When the eagle was getting old, his master felt sorry for him and decided to set him free. So he took the metal ring off the eagle's foot, lifted the eagle from the ground, and tossed him into the air. He was free-- but he had forgotten how to fly! He flip-flopped to the ground, walked back over to his old rut, and started walking in circles like he had for years. No chain and shackle held him, just the habit!

You may think it's not possible for you to change, but if you really want to and are sincerely willing to, God can change you by the miracle-working power of His Spirit. He'll do things you can't do! He said, "Whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive" Matthew 21:22.

To change yourself is something you can't do in your own will power and strength. If you want this change, it's necessary for you to ask Jesus to help.

Start developing a good habit by taking the next step, however small, in the right direction. Then keep at it until you've built up a routine that can't easily be broken. It has been proven that in order to develop a new habit, one must do it for six weeks.

So don't give up too easily or too soon. Keep at it!