Keep Your Eyes on The Captain

A few days ago I wrote about my fear of flying. Little did I know that just a few days later the Lord would have another flying lesson for me. When I last wrote I was between Orlando and Chicago. This time I am between Chicago and Denver, again high above the earth, and yet this flight is a different experience all together.

 

As the plane boarded I took my aisle seat next to a lovely lady. As the crew began their preflight routine I told my seat neighbor that she won the jackpot with the window seat next to her being empty. Just as soon as I said that another pilot (a Captain as it turns out) boarded the plane walked straight back to us and took the window seat. Darn, no jackpot. I jokingly mentioned something about this to the Captain to which he replied "you still won the jackpot, let me know if you have any questions on the flight".

The flight crew continued their routine. We proceeded to taxi to the runway and off we went. Typically the takeoff is the worst for me. It brings tears of fear to my eyes and sweat to my tightly clenched fists. This time however I thought "surely this Captain will know if anything is going wrong". I even told him it was nice to know we had a backup plan. As the plane took off I began my normal fist clenching until I looked at the Captain. He looked amazingly relaxed. No panic whatsoever. In fact, he was dozing in and out of sleep. This immediately calmed my heart. His peace gave me peace. I have never experienced this on a plane!! Let alone on takeoff! 

As I sit here thousands of feet above the earth I occasionally glance at the Captain. Yep, still no panic. We are ok. 

I am reminded that although the Captain has no control of the plane he knows how to fly it. I was just at a conference where I was reminded of the need for mentors in our lives. I texted my husband yesterday that I need to find 2 mentors, one spiritual and one business. I need a couple of Captains in my life. People who I can draw peace from, who know how to land my panic plane! Now accepting resumes, interviews to begin soon. 

It also makes me think of the Captain who is flying the plane. A good captain doesn't panic even in an emergency. Do you remember the Captain who took a bird to the engine and safely landed the plane in the Hudson River? Much like the Lord, He is flying the plane in my life. Things happen, turbulence will come, engines will blow. He is prepared to land the plane without panicking. 

Keep your eyes on The Captain. Draw from His peace. 

Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking... 

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”

Isaiah 41:10, 13 NIV

And... "You still won the jackpot, let me know if you have any questions on the flight"

From 30,000 feet

I'm going to let my friends in on a little something from 30,000 feet. Quite literally, somewhere between Orlando and Chicago. 

Confession time... It has occurred to me that not only do I not like flying. It actually terrifies me. Normally I fly with my husband and I force him to stay awake long enough to hold my hand through takeoff to which he replies when we barely begin to level out "Can I go to sleep now?". This time however I am flying alone. Every turbulent bump sends my heart racing. This is it, this is the one that is going to send us plummeting to the earth. Every time the plane banks to one side or the other I want to scream at the pilot for his dare devil antics. "If you want to be a stunt pilot you should have joined the military where you can do it without 200 people on board" oh wait, you are just turning the plane towards our destination?! Sigh. Don't even get me started on that red thing on the wing that trembles the whole flight like it is about to fall off or the wings that look like they are going to snap at any second. 

I don't understand the engineering of it all. This thing weighs God only knows how much, plus you add the weight of passengers and all of their junk? I don't know how it ever gets off the ground. Which is why I question the ability to stay off the ground. 

How I wish I could go back to the child-like wonder of flying. Kids aren't afraid. They have faith that it will get there and they will soon be chasing Mickey Mouse or hugging grandma. They don't think about the wings snapping off or engine failure from hitting a bird (that actually happens you know!). 

I've always thought I love traveling, the truth of the matter is that I enjoy the destination. The adventure of exploring somewhere new. 

It's kind of like life I suppose. Some of the best destinations come after a season of fear and struggle. So as I tremble in my seat at 30,000 feet, my husband reminded me (through a Facebook message, thank you Jesus for on-board wifi) "fear not, I am with you.... God" May be easier said than done, but I will try. One thing is for sure, I will enjoy the destination. If you are trembling in your seat, afraid of the "what if's" be encouraged, your destination is coming. 

 ‘You’re my servant, serving on my side. I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you.’ Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.”

Isaiah 41:9-10 MSG