Kentucky Chaplain David Chaltas

A famous psychologist by the name of Doctor Rosenthal coined the term ‘self fulfilling prophecy’ and in essence it simply means, “What you think I am, I will become.” Imagine the power that we allow others to have over us. We empower them over our very lives. And it is that mindset that creates the most havoc in our world. We are what we think.

I am reminded of a story that I heard years ago. The story is about a buzzard and a hummingbird that dwell in a desert. The buzzard floats on the air currents around him, passively moving with the wind in search of something dead or dying. His whole life is based on looking for the past. He searches for something that was alive but is either dead or dying. His world revolves around the suffering of others and their passing. He only sees the negative things of life and yet he thrives.

Now the little hummingbird propels himself through the air on his own power and is in constant search for the cactus flower. He seeks out only the sweetest nectar of life in a wasteland. He thrives on beauty and the goodness of his world. He dwells in a positive state of mind. Both are birds yet both have been designed to do what they are meant to do.

But what if we don’t know what we are? There is another little tale about an eagle that was hatched by a chicken. The little eaglet was taught how to scratch like a chicken, cluck like a chicken and live like a chicken. One day he saw this magnificent bird flying in the heavens and he thought if I could only be like that beautiful ‘fowl’ circling in the air but was quickly scolded for not hiding when an eagle soared overhead. And that young eagle, because he dared not think like an eagle, lived all his life among the chickens, scratching out a living without attempting to use his wings. “What you think I am, I will become.”

We, as humans, are born with a choice to either become buzzards, hummingbirds or eagles. Each day you must decide whether to be a buzzard, hummingbird or an eagle. Oh, sometimes we have our buzzard days but we must remember that we are promised to rise up on the wings of eagles. The Bible gives us guidance and teaches us to soar with the eagles. In Isaiah 40:27 we read, “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles.” And in Job 39:27, “Does the eagle mount up at your command, and make its nest on high?” Know that you are an eagle this day. Know that God wants you to rise up on high and to have life in great abundance. Know that your outlook is wondrous and become like the hummingbird in the desert. See the beauty of bad situations and rejoice when you find the nectar of life. Praise Him as you soar! Know that God has commanded you to be like an eagle, as you mount up and fly upon your wings of destiny. The choice is yours my friend. I remain your obedient servant, The Old General