Clouds

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will make your paths straight."

Proverbs 3:5,6

The thick gray fog enveloped the aircraft, obscuring my vision of anything except for the dull mist surrounding the plane.  The voice of the captain filled the near-empty cabin, "Flight attendants, prepare for landing."   I peered out the window, searching fro any landmarks to let me know how close we were to the ground, but I could see none.  Suddenly, we emerged from the fog into a light rain with the lights of the runway laid out before us.

Flying in conditions like this means a pilot must trust his instruments and the guidance of the air traffic controllers, not his sight.  His eyes are telling him he is miles above the earth's surface in a heavy bank of clouds, when in reality he is only several hundred feet from the runway.

It is the same with us as we trust in God during our journey.  It is as if we are flying in a bank of clouds, not knowing how far up we are, or in what direction we are traveling: Trusting God means keeping my eyes on Him to guide me safely to the landing strip.

In The Clouds    

When I was flying through the clouds, I could not recognize any familiar landmarks.  There was nothing but gray, and I couldn't see very far.  It gave me an eerie feeling of disorientation.  If it wasn't for the plane itself providing a frame of reference, I wouldn't know which way was up, down or sideways.  

This is how much of my life is.  I have no idea which way is up, how far it is to my destination or goal, or when I'll be emerging from the fog.  I simply must trust that God is guiding my every footstep, leading me to His purpose for my life.  

When I feel no sense of direction or guidance, I must fly by my instruments, trusting God to guide me in to a safe landing.

Under the Clouds

Once I emerged from the clouds, I could see the ground was wet and the grayness above translated into a sense of gloominess below.  Even though I could now see my surroundings, they didn't look too nice.

Isn't this like life?  I emerge from the foggy disorientation of blindly following God's lead, expecting to arrive at my destination to a choir of singing birds and shining sun, but instead am greeted by dreary drizzle.

How often are things not as I expected when following God?  Rain is not bad, it was just not what I imagined.

Maybe I thought motherhood would be more exciting, adventurous and thrilling, but it turns out to be monotonous and filled with day after day of sameness.  Or I might have imagined my life to be dominated by an exciting fulfilling career, giving me a chance to utilize my degree skills and bring in a paycheck.  Instead, I find myself staying at home and being available to those who need a helping hand or an encouraging word.  Or perhaps I expected to marry young and have a large family.  Instead, as I follow God's lead, I find myself deep in a remote jungle as a single missionary.  There are many roads God's plan could take me on as I trust Him.  

Following God means trusting Him with the outcome, not going by my own plan and hope for my life.

Above the Clouds

Flying above the clouds is a bit like paradise.  The sky appears as a deep azure canvass, a beautiful backdrop to the puffs of white cotton below.  It seems I can see forever, gaining a tiny glimpse of God's enormous vision of His Creation.

Living above the clouds is the goal for which I am called by faith in Christ.    Paul encouraged the believers at Philippi with the thought that, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. . . I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:12, 14)  As I am transformed under His loving grace, slowly but surely I gain a viewpoint more closely in line with His. 

When I am close to God, it doesn't matter what is going on around me because I can see things from His perspective.  annoying, whiny children who get under my skin become little ones who need an extra dose of love.  Frustrating delays turn into opportunities to connect with a hurting soul.  Demanding panhandlers are converted into lonely, lost beings.  angry short-tempered cashiers turn out to be wounded warriors in the battle of domestic violence.  

There are people all around me who need a vision of paradise only Jesus can offer.  Am I able to see them through God's eyes?

Flying can be an interesting experience.  It helps me to remember to fly by the instruments, trusting only in Him for my guidance, to accept the destination God has guided me to, and to keep an eternal perspective that allows His love to flow through me to a hurting world in need of a Savior.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I can keep my eyes on my personal guidance system; God.

Where am I relying on my own plans instead of trusting God for direction?

How do I have a self-centered, short vision of those around me, missing all the opportunities there are to show the love of Jesus?