A Bumpy Ride

We were sitting on the Tarmac of Nashville International Airport when the pilot turned on the Intercom to provide some last minute information before we pushed back from the gate.  He shared with us the weather would be partly cloudy and in the mid 80's in Baltimore (the first leg on our trip home to Jacksonville), our flight would be an estimated hour and twenty minutes long, we could expect some "bumps" in the air during our ascent and we needed to keep our seat belts on until told to do differently. 

I stored that information away and settled back in my seat as I held my husband's hand preparing for take off.  Interestingly, as the plane accelerated down the runway, we both noticed that it was uncharacteristically bumpy.  Then, as soon as we lifted off, we seemed to "bump, swerve & dip" during our ascent until we leveled off at about 30 thousand feet.   

At one point, the plane took a noticeable "hard dip" and everyone, including me and my husband were alarmed.  Someone even shouted "Ahhh" (but it wasn't me this time)!!Although my husband and I prayed individually and collectively before we boarded the plane, I immediately began to pray more fervently asking for God's protection and guidance on this flight. "Jesus please protect us, please Lord", was my constant prayer until we leveled off.

My seat mate to the left of me who was a former Marine looked at me and said "I hope it's not like this for the rest of the ride!"  Isn't it interesting that just like the pilot on our plane, God gives us information and instruction through HIS written Word.  Do we store that information away through mental ascent or do we make application and choose to live transformed lives - choosing to live for HIM daily? 

Do we pray fervently and without ceasing as 1 Thessalonians 5:17 states or do we only pray to God when there are "bumps, dips, swerves or turbulence" in our lives? Do we Seek Him FIRST in all that we do for direction and guidance or do we trust our human intelligence and instincts. Matthew 6:33 In Psalm 20:7, the Psalmist states, "some trust in chariots and horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." 

Here's a FACT - there will always be turbulence  in this lives.  The only help that we can rely on is our Sovereign God. He sustains us and keeps us even when we cannot begin to comprehend how we will overcome. We often sing a song during worship that has the following lyrics: 

"My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ, the solid rock I stand; All other ground is sinking ground, All other ground is sinking ground."

Let's continue to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Seek Him 

Obey Him, Love Him, Pray to Him, Surrender our will to Him, and Live for Him. 

P.S. Praise God we landed safely in Baltimore and let me tell you - prayer is powerful. Our descent into Baltimore was BUMPIER than the ascent out of Nashville!! On Christ the solid rock I stand!!