Trust and Turbulence

“I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” – Jeremiah 29:11-12 (NIV)

“That’s the high peaks of the Canadian Rockies.” Jay, our traveling companion, was pointing out the window at about 30,000 feet. Besides that, all we could see were grey clouds.

All the way to Japan.

We couldn’t make out any other landmarks. We flew over Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Yukon, Alaska… majestic scenery beneath, to be sure. But with the exception of one sight of the very tops of the Rocky Mountain range, all we could see for the entire eleven hour trip was cloud cover.

Yet, we knew where we were (roughly). We knew where we were going (Japan, then China). And we felt very confident that we would arrive at our destinations safely.

When we trust in God, life is a bit like that flight to Japan. There were moments of discomfort on board that 747. There were bumps and turbulence during the flight. There was boredom. There was frustration. There were the 3’x3’ toilets.

But there was also adventure. There were moments I’ll never forget. There was Jay, a perfect stranger seated beside us who was a delight to get to know (and, having once lived in southeast Asia, a God-send of information and advice).

Life, too, is filled with all these things. Bumps and turbulence. Frustration. Boredom. 3’x3’ toilets. But these are not what we should concentrate on. Think about the adventure, the people God puts in our lives, the destination ahead. Ponder all the wonder God has in-store for you. It is often cloaked in stressful situations. But once we peel away the trouble, we realize that, despite the grey clouds that obscure our view, we know there is beauty and wonder in our lives at any given time. We just have to look for it.

© 2008 by Chris Courtney. All rights reserved.

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