Nurturing I

‘During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost…’ John 17:12

As ferocious as the eagle is yet no member of the bird family is more gentle and attentive to its young than the eagle. As fierce as the eagle is the eagle nurtures its own children. How does this apply to us? God expects us to nurture our biological and spiritual children with the same tenderness the eagle displays. Every eagle Christian should have a spiritual child even if you are not married yet or you are still trusting God for the fruit of the womb. You should have a spiritual child, someone you are helping to walk with God. The Bible says ‘as you have freely received you also ought to freely give’. If you don’t have a spiritual child, then go and find one. The church is filled with people who need discipleship. Invest in one of those lives today.

The eagle builds its nest on the highest mountain far away from reach. So the eagle is not only able to protect itself fearlessly, it knows its children are not as developed as it is. So it takes them to the highest point of the mountain and put them there. A height where neither chickens, nor sparrows can get to; where lions cannot even dare climb. What does that tell us? There are people in our lives that we have to protect and nurture. For some husbands, it is your wives you need to nurture. You need to protect her and shield her from those fierce in-laws or maybe friends. You need to carry your own nest and take it to the top of the mountain. And ignore people’s opinions because you are an eagle. For some wives, you need to protect your husbands from the little Mrs. Potiphar’s that are flocking around. You need to carry him to where their hands cannot reach.

The eagle nurtures because the eagle thinks generationally. The eagle’s nurturing does not mean it is weak rather it is a strength. At the right time, the eagle can actually be very tough on its young to get them to a certain milestone. When it is time for the eaglets to fly, the eagle will ruffle its nest because it is very comfortable. You need to protect the people that God has placed in your care.

Prayer: Father, teach me how to nurture daily the people that you have placed in my care biologically and spiritually, in Jesus Name.