The Myth of the Molting Eagle: Further Considerations

The more I think about the teaching that I had received regarding this "“molting eagle"”, the more distressed I am about its implications. Not only does it foster and excuse faithlessness, it creates a mentality of weakness, even an expectation of debility.

In nature, the eagle does molt, i.e., lose its feathers as it grows older. However, it is never in a state of weakness or vulnerability. This "“molting eagle"” teaching engenders a kind of defeatist mind set, an environment of fear contrary to our spiritual inheritance.

Paul tell us that no matter what trial or difficulty we face, in Christ, we are more than adequate for the task.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

"For your sake we face death all day long;

we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom 8:35-39 NIV

That means that we don't just barely make it, that we just survive, but that we, through our Lord Jesus Christ, are to come through all these things with “power to spare”. We are more than conquerors! Jesus is going to reward those who overcome. Read the letters to the churches in Revelation 2 & 3.

We make the choices. Are we going to do just enough to get by? Or are we striving, straining and reaching forward to what lies ahead?

Again, I quote Paul.

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:13-14 NIV

This word press is also translated persecute. The same fervor with which others persecute the godly, we should be striving for God.

The day of mediocrity is coming to an end. If we do not want to be vomited from the mouth of our Savior (rev. 3:16), we need to drop all that which we have collected that entangles us and run the race with endurance.

The following passage from the book of Hebrews is rather lengthy but is appropriate to finish these thoughts.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:

"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline,

and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

because the Lord disciplines those he loves,

and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. Heb 12:1-13 NIV

When you feel like that poor emaciated eagle of the myth, you must press on and press in. Be encouraged. Seek out those who will stand and speak words of life not commiserate and wallow with you.

Be of good cheer. Jesus went through worse so that you can live victoriously. If you are being disciplined by the Father, rejoice! He only disciplines his true sons! It will pass! And if you embrace the discipline, you will not have to circle the mountain again!