Translations

But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles,they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 (NRSV)

In the NIV this verse talks about "soaring" - I definitely prefer this version.

For a long time, I have carried the belief (hope?) that if I could get close enough to God, then I could soar above the worries of this life. Yes, bad things happen to good people, but I would be so close to God, so filled with the spirit, that peace would descend on me like a dove. After all, isn't that the goal? Peace that passes all understanding. No fear of death and calamity, no more tears, wisdom of the ages, serenity...

I am beginning to wonder.

It doesn't seem that Jesus was trying to arrange His life to result in His ultimate comfort and ease. It doesn't seem He loved well to ensure He would be loved well in return. It doesn't seem He did the next right thing to avoid the consequences of "bad choices". It doesn't seem he behaved responsibly to avoid the pitfalls of rash actions.

It gets muddled after a while. Am I living right as a call to love, or am I trying to ensure my own future security? Some people may think it doesn't matter, as long as you are living right.

I think it does.

I think there is great danger in relying on my own right actions to bring about certain rewards or blessings. I have a tendency to get very impatient when those blessings don't present themselves in a timely fashion or in the proper package. I think there is great danger in assuming that following Christ will bring ease or comfort or escape from pain.

It seems that Christ never took the path of least resistance. He ran full out towards pain, suffering, lonliness, sorrow, sacrifice...

There is a HUGE difference between "Mounting Up" and "Soaring".