With Wings Like Eagles
By Kimberly Cruz
Isaiah 40:31 says “But those who wait on 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.” One of the pillars of our MAPS program is physical engagement, which is represented by the P in our acronym. We include physical activities in our education program because of the benefits of exercise to the developing brain.
For the past five academic years, Holbrook Indian School (HIS) has been the host site for the cross country championship event among several Christian schools in the area. I’ve had the privilege to witness three of these events, but this year there was a distinct shift.
The crowd was different. The mindset of each runner was more intense, more focused, more engaged. Endurance, determination, and perseverance were clearly at the forefront as they took up the challenge for their race. From elementary through high school, students ran with tenacity, courage, and grit like I’ve never seen before—not the least of these were our “Eagles.”
Having been a runner myself, I was moved to tears several times as I captured photos and watched students cross the finish line. Some gave it everything they had to the point of nearly collapsing when all was said and done. Onlookers cheered and yelled supportive encouragement from the start, and again as runners rounded the final turn bearing down on the finish line.
Watching our tiny, fierce runners Anita, Delilah, and Noa, fighting for those final yards, was something both precious and divine. They are part of the generation that Jesus will use to finish His mighty work. The picture of tenderness, resilience and perseverance they represent made my heart swell to know that I am part of the environment helping to shape and prepare them for their callings in this life. These little runners, along with our older students, truly represented Isaiah 40:31.
One student in particular stood out. Dylan, a HIS freshman, started his race with a steady pace. Though we could not witness the portion of the race that took students out past the gully, we did have a line of sight on them as they gained ground towards the road that brought them past staff housing and the last bend.
Dylan and a runner from another school rounded that final turn. Dylan was in the lead. The other runner shifted gears and increased speed. It did not go unnoticed. Dylan was ready and rose to the challenge. With a fierce, deliberate move and intense grit, Dylan lunged forward, pounding the ground with power and determination. He did not stop until he crossed the finish line to bring home the win for HIS. What a sight to behold!
The other impressive student was a girl named Shelilah, from Native American Christian Academy (NACA) who finished 30 minutes after the last runner. Arbee Tabo, our athletic director, talked with her coach and the other coach who were keeping time. The question was, “Do we continue timing or do we call the race?” It was unanimous—keep timing. It was hard not to get choked up when I discovered that our principal was driving the pace car and staying behind Shelialah to ensure her safety, or when I saw our horsemanship director and a couple of HIS students run with her a few paces as a way to encourage her to keep going.
As she rounded the final turn, five of her teammates were waiting. They gathered around her and ran with her to the finish line, cheering and encouraging her to complete the race. She had cried. She had walked, but she never gave up. With a level of tenacity unmatched by any other student that day, and with outstanding support from all who watched her finish—she stayed the course and completed what she set out to do.
Our goal here at HIS is to teach our students that courage and perseverance are necessary to overcome obstacles and challenges that life presents. This event and the grit exhibited in various ways by many of our, and contending, runners reminded me of what it will take to endure the race laid out before each of us. Heaven is our finish line. Eternity with Jesus is our goal. Whether we cross with intensity or a slow, steady pace—may we each run, like our HIS students, with the heart of the Lion and “soar with wings like eagles.”
