The name Invitation 2 Soar has a special meaning to me. In 2014, I had an emotional melt down. I had lost both my parents and the grief was overwhelming. I spent a week at an Indiana State Park: hiking, lamenting and just being. During that time, I noticed the hawks, when soaring, were one with the current.

Effortlessly. Gracefully. Peacefully.

It was mesmerizing, and I was drawn to watching them for hours. I began to relate it to my faith journey and this desire within me awakened. I wanted the next stage of my walk with Christ to resemble the soaring of a hawk. There was freedom as the birds moved with the wind – when met with resistance I noticed that, instead of beating against the wind, they used a simple turn of the head to get back in the current.

It looked so simple to soar.

My flight had not been so simple; I reflected on my experiences of adversity, difficulties, resistance, and surrenders. At times it felt like my spiritual growth seemed to be the complete opposite of these soaring hawks. I left the state park with a yearning to explore their significance. As I pondered, an invitation surfaced:

Do I want to soar?

I am happy to say that I am soaring! It wasn’t easy to confront the obstacles that were preventing me from soaring, and yet, I am so glad I did! Shortly after my time at the state park, I came across this quote by John Ortberg. It confirmed the invitation from God, and eventually I had the courage to leave my perch. Now, many years later, I am helping others realize they can soar, too. So I ask you:

Are you ready to soar?

- Karen