There is a beautiful story of a 40 year old eagle retreating and going through a painful process of change and renewal to extend its life. As the story goes, the eagle goes into isolation, knocks its beak until it comes out and then waits for it to grow back. When it does, the eagle then plucks out all of its feathers. It takes 5 months for the process to complete itself. It’s to encourage us to be like an eagle and transform our lives. The problem is the story is built on myth.
Scripture gives us multiple stories on transformation. One of the most recounted stories is the conversion of Saul from a persecutor of Christians to Paul the writer of the bulk of the New Testament. Paul went through a transformation like an eagle.
9 1-2 All this time Saul was breathing down the necks of the Master’s disciples, out for the kill. He went to the Chief Priest and got arrest warrants to take to the meeting places in Damascus so that if he found anyone there belonging to the Way, whether men or women, he could arrest them and bring them to Jerusalem. 3-4 He set off. When he got to the outskirts of Damascus, he was suddenly dazed by a blinding flash of light. As he fell to the ground, he heard a voice: “Saul, Saul, why are you out to get me?” 5-6 He said, “Who are you, Master?” “I am Jesus, the One you’re hunting down. I want you to get up and enter the city. In the city you’ll be told what to do next.” (Acts 9:1-6 MSG).
Transformation is often a difficult and painful process. Transformation with Christ reduces and sometimes eliminates the pain. Christ can take what is broken, hurt and filled with shame and restore it to wholeness. It is a journey that requires fierce reliance on the one who created us. It requires trust even when it doesn’t feel safe. And, it requires a willingness to own our own sins in the process.
My transformation is still in progress. It has felt miraculous and challenging all at the same time. I know this; I am so thankful I said yes to the journey.
Are you ready for transformation? Do you want to be transformed like an eagle or like Paul? Share your experience here and breathe life and bring hope to others.