The Eagle’s Eye: Cultivating Spiritual Attitudes and Growth

How to Master Real Flying: 8 Beatitudes, 7 Steps, and the Eagle’s Guide to Spiritual Maturity

Introduction

In the natural world, the eagle is a symbol of strength, focus, and perspective. The Bible uses the image of the eagle to describe how God cares for and elevates His people. In the spiritual realm, God calls us to develop an uncommon, eagle-like view of our lives. This perspective requires deliberate growth, intentional steps, and, most importantly, the cultivation of the right inner attitudes. This article provides a roadmap to spiritual maturity, covering the essential attitudes, the practical steps of growth, and the crucial test of character.

The Eagle Metaphor: A Call to be Uncommon

We are compared to the Eagle because its characteristics reflect the qualities God seeks in His followers:

• Uncommon: Eagles are distinct (Leviticus 11:3), calling us to live set apart from the world.
• Wings Spread: They are ready for action (Exodus 25:30), reflecting readiness for ministry and service.
• Eyesight: The eagle sees from a different overview, reminding us to maintain a divine perspective above earthly concerns.
• Focus: They are not distracted (Philippians 3:14), urging us to stay fixed on our heavenly prize.
• Mastery: The mother eagle carries its young until they master real flying, representing God’s training that prepares us for true spiritual effectiveness.

Part I: The Beatitudes—Cultivating the Right Attitude (Matthew 5:3)

Before we can act, we must first be. The Beatitudes, or the “attitudes” necessary for spiritual effectiveness, are the foundation of true character:

1. Brokenness (Poor in spirit): Acknowledging our complete dependence on God. Key Insight: When you are broken, you learn how to fix broken people.
2. Sorrowful (Those who mourn): Mourning over sin and the state of the world.
3. Gentle & Quiet / Meek: Contented in serving others, submitting strength to a higher purpose.
4. Hungry for God: Possessing a deep, insatiable desire for righteousness.
5. Compassionate (Merciful): Extending grace and pity to others.
6. Pure in heart: Maintaining integrity in the inner man.
7. Peacemaker: Actively working to restore harmony.
8. Persecuted (Forgiving spirit): Enduring hardship while maintaining a Christ-like attitude.

Part II: The Seven Steps for Growth

Growth requires action. Your notes detail seven intentional steps that propel a believer toward maturity:

1. Circumcision: Cutting the excess—removing anything that hinders your walk with God.
2. Obedience: Making the conscious decision to honor God through action.
3. Stay in the Church: Remaining rooted in the community where the wounded can be “pinned” (supported and healed).
4. Change My Food: Prioritizing and feeding solely on devotions and spiritual nourishment.
5. See Through the Problem: Developing spiritual discernment to look past surface issues to the root cause.
6. Marching: Walking like a soldier—purposeful, disciplined, and ready to be a warrior.
7. Walking to Protest: Allowing your walk to be a testimony and a statement against the ways of the world.

The Final Result: The Chain of Character

The goal of this entire process is to forge an unshakable character. This is why good character is always more important than having many talents.

The spiritual formation chain illustrates this:

Word/Bible $\rightarrow$ Thinking $\rightarrow$ Emotions (Feelings) $\rightarrow$ Decisions $\rightarrow$ Actions $\rightarrow$ Habits $\rightarrow$ Character $\rightarrow$ Life.

Every thought you entertain and every decision you make is a link in the chain that determines your ultimate destiny. Focus on the foundational Word, and everything else will align to build a Christ-like life rooted in the greatest thing of all: Love.