The Bird with the Broken Wing

By Helen Jesze, 25^th August 2023

“But those who trust in the Lord for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak.”

Isaiah 40:31 GNT

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

Psalm 147:3 NIV

Sitting on my sitting-room window-sill is an eagle made of china. Its wings are outstretched and it has obviously just swooped down to the river or sea to catch its dinner, for it is holding a fish in its left claw. I bought it cheaply years ago at a second-hand shop, although the label on it shows it is part of a series of eagles. This little eagle had given me a great deal of pleasure but a few months ago, it fell down and the left wing was broken off. (Photo above!)

It was a clean break and my daughter easily glued the wing on again. The repair lasted for a few months, then the wing just fell off. Again it was glued together with special glue, and the break could not be seen. Now, a few days ago, the wing is off again! We asked ourselves why this could happen without the eagle being bumped or knocked down, and a friend suggested the following. She said that if there was any residue of the old glue left on, then the fresh glue might not be able to do its work properly. Sooner or later, it will come apart again.

As you know, God speaks to us in so many ways, and he has been speaking to me about my eagle and its broken wing! A bird with a broken wing cannot fly. If it did manage to get off the ground at all, it would not fly up in the sky, but it would probably go round in a circle and soon flop down on the ground again. Having two wings enables it to balance. Especially our eagle with its huge wings and body could not fly with only one wing. It does not fly as other birds anyway, but mounts or soars up, waiting for the air-currents to take it to another height. It will even use the extra wind of a storm and with a triumphant scream, allows it to be taken higher still.

When an eagle moults its feathers or is ill, it will lay on a rock and soak up the sun’s healing rays. As Christians, when we ask God to heal our brokenness, we should rest on our Rock – our Christ Jesus – and let the Sun of Righteousness, His presence, Word and Holy Spirit bring healing to our weary, pain-filled hearts.

But here again, my china eagle spoke to me. If the problem of another break had indeed been because there was still a residue of old glue, thus making the new glue of none effect, what about our hearts when it seems we cannot find real healing? If we have a physical wound, it may be enough if we clean it and apply a sticking-plaster. This is much quicker, of course. But, if the wound is deeper and we do not take the time to really cleanse it or take out whatever is causing the problem, then a sticking- plaster will not do the job, for that is only superficial.

Also, spiritually and mentally, Jesus wants to clean away whatever has been the problem. He wants to do a thorough job – a deeper work in us. In our haste we want everything done already yesterday, but I have found God rarely works like that. He is building for Eternity in our lives, and He looks for the ‘residue’ of the old life – our attitudes, sin, us believing contrary to His Word, unforgiveness – many things which could be classed as ‘residue’ – which must be dealt with first, before real healing can come to us.

A broken wing takes time to recover; also, our wounds take time to heal. God sometimes does a miracle, which is instantaneous, but more often than not, it is a process which takes time. With “faith and patience” we will see the promises come true in our lives. Looking at my bird with the broken wing I was challenged whether I have any ‘residue’ left which I have not consciously laid down, or allowed God to deal with.

How about you today, dear friend? Our God is a God of healing and restoration who wants to see us spiritually and mentally ‘fly’, and longs to heal our broken ‘wings’. I want to encourage you to reach out anew to Him today, for any area where you need healing! He has not forgotten you!! You will ‘fly’ again!!