Yesterday we talked about eagle people. One of the ways we can truly let our spirits soar to the heights is to be in the Sacred Writings day by day. To help with that, I will be giving a scripture passage for daily reading. Look for it with the heading, “Eagle People.” Before reading, settle your spirit and rest. It may be good to have a special place for this. Our grandfathers liked to get close to the earth. This old man prefers his easy chair. Quiet your heart. Ask Yahweh to speak to you. Then read his words. His word is living. It will speak truth to your heart. If you have questions, don’t be afraid to ask, my wife and her friends are men and women of the Word. They will help you to better understand how to apply Yahweh’s words to your daily life. Together, we can help each other to soar above the circumstances that try to crush our souls. May we yearn for Yahweh’s words more than warm fry bread. Today’s reading is John 16:31-33. Pleya gi. “Go with Blessings.”
Yahweh seeks “eagle people,” people who learn to walk alone with him; people who no longer depend on the continual help and faith of others. This is what I have learned from Lettie Cowman, the author of Streams in the Desert. Relationship is necessary; inspiration is necessary; the wisdom of others is necessary; assistance is often necessary. We must not completely isolate ourselves from our brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, and elders, but our souls yearn to be alone with Yahweh. We must trust him in times of isolation, even seek those times when we soar alone with him. It is in these alone times that he does a new work within our souls and we learn to soar in loftier air. Vision quests are about being alone. They are times we set aside the regular cares of this world and seek an audience with Yahweh, but eagle people need more. Eagle people dare to find times alone where they can hear his whisper in the midst of daily life. Pleya gi. “Go with Blessings.”
Are you walking the way of beauty? Thank Yahweh for the courage to do so. He who set the stars in place, He who created us in his image, gives good gifts to all. Praise him for his amazing gift of life. Praise him for all he has created. Praise him for his Holy Spirit who comforts us in our sorrow, corrects us when we are wrong and leads us in the right way. Lift your voice in song to him. Dance your prayers to him. Throw your thoughts toward him. Let all that has breath praise his holy name. Yahweh. Yahweh. Yahweh. The more we focus our thoughts on him, the more we will walk in beauty. Pleya gi. “Go with Blessings.”
Have you strayed from the Faithful Way? It is never too late to return to the path Yahweh has set before you. When I was young, I too, strayed off the path of Yahweh’s commands and my soul became weary with sorrow. My face was pressed low in the dust until my soul was consumed with longing for Yahweh’s face. Now I run in the path of Yahweh’s commands, for he has broadened my understanding and has caused me to walk his way. I meditate on his Sacred Writings and allow his words to strengthen and delight my innermost being. It is never too late. Choose the Faithful Way, set your heart on Yahweh’s commands, hold fast to your Captain and Chief. By returning to the path of Yahweh’s commands, you will not be put to shame. Pleya gi. “Go with Blessings.”
Give thanks to Yahweh! He is good. Everything about him is good. He opens up the gates to his village and calls out, “Come in!” All who are tired and weary, all who feel like dust beneath a thundering herd of buffalo, all whose strength has failed them. Come in! Buy without money. Drink till you are no longer thirsty. Eat the harvest of his hands. Can you believe it? Yahweh rises to show you compassion. His love is endless. It never quits. It stretches beyond the birth place of the stars and is not hemmed in by the counting of minutes. It is a warm blanket wrapped around you at all times. Give thanks to Yahweh for he is good, his love endures forever. Pleya gi. “Go with Blessings.”
Is your back pressed hard against cold stone? Cry out to Yahweh! Because he loves you, his ear is tuned to your voice. He will bring you to a spacious place, the place where antelope run and eagles soar, where rivers sing and the sweet fragrance of his breath blows across the fields. Yahweh is with you. There is no reason to be afraid. What harm can mere mortals do when Yahweh carries your soul in a safe place? Place your life in his hands, Yahweh is your champion. If you continue to walk with him, there will come a day when you will look in triumph on your enemies. Every arrow will find its mark and Yahweh’s strength will be your defense. Shouts of joy and victory will resound in the tents of Yahweh’s people! Pleya gi. “Go with Blessings.”
Sometimes it is hard for this old man to keep one moccasin moving in front of the other. It is then I call out to Yahweh to shed new light on his path that I may follow it to the very end. It is my heart that fails me, not in a physical sense, but in the spiritual realm. My heart deceives me and tells me I am foolish to think this old Indian will complete the task his Great Chief has given him. In times like these, I press in close to Yahweh and let the words of his Sacred Writings encourage my heart toward the goal. Yes. My heart is deceitful above all things. But Yahweh is greater than my heart, and he knows everything! He will bring me to the land of the living, a place of incredible beauty! I close my eyes and dance now, in the spiritual realm where this tired old Indian receives strength. Pleya gi. “Go with Blessings.”
In the morning let Yahweh hear your voice. As the morning stars sing together, wait expectantly before him. As sunlight spills over the eastern sky, bow before his presence. Lay your requests before him. Take refuge in him and he will spread his protection over you. He will surround you with favor as with a shield. Sing for joy and be glad! No matter where the path leads today, he will make it straight before you. Do not listen to the voice of your enemies. Not one word from their mouths can be trusted. Their hearts are filled with malice and their throat is an open grave. With their tongues they lie to you. Take refuge in Yahweh. He will spread his protection over you. Yahweh. Yahweh. Yahweh. Love his name and rejoice in him! Pleya gi. “Go with Blessings.”
Have you come to the waters, deep and wide, that will not let you cross? Take heart, child. Yahweh will part the waters at the perfect time. Do not rush ahead or try to go around. This is a time of resting. He will remove the obstacle when it is time to move again. He may part the waters so that you walk across on dry ground. He may bring a companion with a boat that will carry you safely across. Or he may lift you on eagle wings and fly you across in an instant. The way is already known to him. Rest in his unfailing love. Pleya gi. “Go with Blessings.”
Are you discouraged and weary? Does the act of scaling the utmost height seem far out of your grasp? Consider this old man who keeps one moccasin plodding in front of the other. This journey, though now it seems impossibly long, is much shorter than we first thought. Look for glimpses of Yahweh’s beauty along the way, feel his warm breath caress your face. He is still there, beside you, even when sorrows fall heavy on your back and the weariness of life crushes your heart. He is there in the unexpected places and in unexpected hours. Let his comfort encourage and strengthen you. This trouble will pass, child, stand firm. Pleya gi. “Go with Blessings.”