Enoch The Eagle Part 1

In the early days of my service in the YMCA I was attempting to create devotionals and chapel services that would effectively communicate with children and families the principles of life from a scriptural perspective.  It was also my understanding that illustrations from nature would provide an effective way of sharing truth that supports the biblical message and is, in so many ways, a living book that we are reading everyday.

Two of my favorite teachers in my early days as a believer were Peter Lord and Ern Baxter.  I had the privilege of hearing both of them in person and listened via recordings to many of their messages.  Both teachers had very powerful messages using the eagle as their focus.  There are many verses in the Bible referring to eagles and I decided to write a fictitious story about a fledging eagle named Enoch.  With the insight I learned from these two men and a little bit of understanding on how to tell a good story, I developed the Story of Enoch.

In recent months, a friend invited me to write devotions as a contributor to a book she is putting together.   The devotions are meant to be short and so I had initially decided to not include Enoch, as a short devotion would not do him justice.  The other morning, as I was waking up the thought (I think the Holy Spirit) occurred to me to break down the story into smaller parts and explain the biblical insights as part of each short devotional.

Thousands of children have heard this story in various forms.  Fortunately, other camp staff have been willing to continue telling the story at the camps I left behind.  I need to give credit to my good friend, Vince Pattengale, who is the person who tells it best and from whom I learned how to tell it better.  Each aspect of Enoch's life has a unique revelation to meditate on.  I invite your comments and feedback. I hope you will read each one and enjoy the Story of Enoch the Eagle.

The Story of Enoch Part 1

Stirring Up the Nest

Deuteronomy 32:11

As an eagle stirs up the nest. . .

The fledgling eagle was named Enoch.  He was an only child and grew up in a large nest carefully prepared by both his mother and father.  The nest had been in the family for several years and its size had been added to every year, growing to 6 feet across and 8 feet deep.  Enoch’s Florida relatives had built a nest 9.5 feet in diameter and 20 feet deep, estimated to weigh almost 3 tons; the largest known Bald Eagle nest in the world! (by the way, the nature facts have been researched.)

As all baby eagles, Enoch really loved his nest and his life. The soft feathers placed for his bed made sleeping a pure delight and the daily menu of sushi, fresh from the Mississippi river could not have tasted better.  Both mom and dad had helped to build his home and sat on him as an egg to keep him warm. He loved looking up into the blue sky watching their amazing soaring flight patterns as they effortlessly circled higher and higher on the warm thermals.

Life could not have been any better until one day it was clear that mom and dad were both wanting Enoch to begin discovering the world for himself.  You see, life had become too comfortable for Enoch and they knew that in order for him to find success in life, he would need to learn how to fly. They showed up less frequently with meals and Enoch’s growling stomach was motivating him to find food on his own.

Have you ever been uncomfortable with your life?  Have you ever felt hungry for something but uncertain as to what it was?  The stirring of the nest mentioned in Deuteronomy can also refer to helping someone wake up.  The seasons of discontent can be opportunities to wake up to a new understanding of who God is and who you are as His child.  Take advantage of discomfort as a gift.  The danger is filling that hunger with things that are harmful.  Go after God and allow Him to satisfy your deepest desire.