I launched my writing “career” when I was a toddler! My parents tell me that I set up on ‘office’ in the corner of the lounge room and filled pages and pages with my writing. In truth, my writing then looked like lines and lines of circles that I would write from left to right. I started playing the piano when I was nine, and I remember sitting at the piano with my bible and playing a verse that God had highlighted to me. I remember wanting to only use the notes that I had learned how to read on the sheet music. In truth my music then sounded like five notes…CDEFG…all played with my right hand. My writing and my music have progressed since then, but these were the small beginnings.

I recently participated in a ‘Write Your Book: Share Your Story 5-day Challenge’.  During those five days, while I was out walking, I was talking with God about The Beautiful Exchange and looked down to see a small fluffy feather. I knew the feather represented the unlocking of creative identity, but God specifically said that it was a fledgeling’s feather. Fledgeling? That has something to do with baby eagles? Right? (as an aside…did you know that the eagle has the longest life span of any bird?!)

You might know what fledgeling means, but in true Lynelle style, I looked up the meaning. According to Google fledgeling means…

‘a young bird that has just fledged’ AND

 ‘a person or organisation that is immature, inexperienced or underdeveloped’

 Wait. What does fledged mean? Fledged means…

‘(of a young bird) having wing feathers that are large enough for flight; able to fly’ AND

‘(of a person or thing) having just taken on the role specified’ AND

‘(of an arrow) fitted with feathers’

 Hmmmm… Interesting… Arrows…

 God was not saying that I am immature… truthfully that thought never even crossed my mind! BUT! God was confirming His desire for me to commit to The Beautiful Exchange. The Beautiful Exchange is like a young bird, in its foundational and beginning stages, but God has assigned me to this role. God has given me the wings I need to fly. He will provide the experience and development I need to mature into all that this role will ask of me.

I think again about those arrows. I think of Psalm 64 where we read of a band of rebels out to make trouble, who take aim with poisoned words like arrows. Our WORDS are like ARROWS. But instead of rebels we are faithful obedient warriors releasing the words of the Kingdom. AND my arrows are fitted with FEATHERS. Powerful words of blessing that are released to fly and reach their target. Words that point us to a loving God who is described in Psalm 91 as being…

“like a bird protecting its young,

covering us with His feathers,

protecting us under His great wings.”

Words that release the beautiful exchange in Isaiah 61:3…

beauty for ashes.

oil of joy for mourning.

a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.

Words that restore double where rebels have stirred up trouble like in Isaiah 61:7…

Because you got a double dose of trouble
    and more than your share of contempt,
Your inheritance in the land will be doubled
    and your joy go on forever.

Today I leave you with these questions…

What has God been speaking to you about lately?

What kind of arrows have you been releasing with your words?

Are they words that bring trouble?

OR words that restore double?

Double inheritance?

Double joy?

Enjoying what you are reading?

During this time of coronavirus/covid-19 social isolation, why not come on over and watch…

• Appointed to Fly… On Wings of Eagles | take 5… revive

• Appointed To Fy… I Am Yours | Song Story