As I was sitting on an airplane on my way to my first semi-long term missions trip, I began to marvel about all the activity taking place around me. This was only the second time I had ever flown. Everything was still somewhat new to me. I sat back and thought of how funny it seemed that people could have so much faith in a (relatively) small machine, to carry them 33,000 feet about oceans, mountains, valleys, and deserts. They scramble on the plane at the first mention of their boarding section, never truly giving a thought about how the airplane works, or whether or not they should fly that day. They doze off during the safety videos, and watch with glazed eyes as bored flight attendant gives them the run down on what to do in case of emergency. They never worry that they don't even see the pilot. In fact, after the first announcement greeting the passengers on board, the pilot rarely speaks again to the trusting passengers. They simply know the pilot wouldn't jump ship, leaving them stranded on board.
In many ways, this parallels the kind of trust we need to have in our own walks, or flights, with God.
When God has a call on our life to do something, He's booking the ticket to the next leg of the trail that He's blazed for us. We should be able to know that His flight will never fail; in fact, the only delays are caused by the sometimes hesitant "passengers" aboard.
There are times when Christians, myself included, go through periods where it feels like God isn't speaking to us. Maybe He's too far away, or possibly we think He may have given up jumped ship on us. But if passengers aboard a manly vessel flown by a mere human can trust that their pilot is still there guiding them, with them every step of the way, it struck me that we can at least have that same kind of trust in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When turbulence in our lives starts shaking up our worlds, it's then that we can trust that God is still manning the controls. It's at those times that His presence is most evident even. It's such a relief knowing that He will never leave us, nor forsake us!
Still, like all major airlines, you have to go through checkpoint security. Certain fluids aren't allowed on board an airplane, liquids have to be packed just so, you can't have metal objects... it's a hassle figuring out all the requirements to be able to board your flight. God's flights have one simple standard. His security requirements are to leave our fleshly desires at the terminal. There is no room on board for extra baggage, such as earthly concerns or worldly mindsets; leave them at Calvary!
The most exciting part is that God doesn't just call us to one "adventure" with Him, and then leave us be in the same spot for the rest of our lives. He calls us to keep going higher and higher with Him; in fact, daily He asks us to pack up our crosses and fly with Him.
Travel lightly, and be prepared for flights you never could have imagined!
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7
Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God. Psalm 146:3-5
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. Psalm 118:8-9
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them--the LORD, who remains faithful forever. Psalm 146:5-6
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 1 Peter 2:11
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14
