Trials don't just carve out character . . . they also reveal character.
Sometimes they occur over long seasons, sometimes in an instant.
Today I flew into Lubbock for a good friend's father's funeral. As my first flight got to Houston I noticed that we started to go towards, and then went by, the airport. Different.
Shortly there after the flight attendant came on and told us that there was a 'problem.' The flaps on the wings were not working and we couldn't land right now. . . It got quiet. REAL quiet.
"Consider it all joy when you encounter various (read: about to die in an airplane crash!) trials . . ."
The lady next to me was shaken. I just let her talk . . . and prayed. I asked her if she knew Jesus. I'm not sure what her faith was before then, but at the time she was an enthusiastic follower.
I'm thankful that I've been dwelling on the verses about trials. God was gracious. Yes, I had a few heart palpitations, but I knew that it was OK. No matter what, God was in control. What an encouragement . . . I fail so much of the time, but how encouraging to be able to focus on eternity in the midst of the problem.
If we hadn't known anything . . . you would have never thought anything was wrong from the landing. OK, except for the firetrucks and ambulances and police cars that were all streaking out towards our runway. [I took this pic is the few emergency vehicles remaining about 15 minutes after we landed and were finally able to exit on the tarmac.]
Whether it's exciting airplane rides or daily life, God wants to draw us closer to Himself and make us more like Jesus.
What's God revealing about your character? Where is He renewing you?
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Planes, Trains and Trials
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2 comments:
It's awesome God used that for you to share and open up with another passenger. I pray and hope I could talk to everyone like that everyday - something I fail at but have small victories with now and again! Concerning your flight - I don't want to burst your bubble - but I have to get the truth out there - No Flap Landings, while certainly an emergency procedure, are very benign as long as you are not trying to land at a super short runway at a tiny airport. We practice them all the time - just land a little faster without so much flare and roll out longer - most of the time the landing is smoother because of the extra controlibility that comes with the increased airpseed. They always roll the emergency vehicles at any declared emergency for the worst case scenario - even if the landing is uneventful. Didn't mean to reduce your WOW factor! Just wanted to make sure the world knows we are all about safety and precautions and are well prepared! Glad you made it down OK! Praise God.
Greg
OK, spoken like a pilot, BUT YOU WEREN'T ON THE STINKIN' PLANE! :)
It's a good point though Greg because how many of ALL of problems are really miniscule but at the moment they seem so large?
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