Years ago, I was enthralled
as I listened to a pastor who for several years had faithfully
served the church.
His executive responsibilities had taken him all over this
country. As he concluded his message, he told of one of the most
frightening yet thought-provoking experiences of his life.
He had been on a long flight from one place to another. The
first warning of the approaching problems came when the sign on
the airplane
flashed on: Fasten your seat belts. Then, after a while, a calm
voice said,
"We shall not be serving the beverages at this time
as we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your
seat belt is fastened."
As he looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of
the passengers were becoming apprehensive. Later, the voice of
the announcer said, "We are so sorry that we are unable to serve
the meal at this time. The turbulence is still ahead of us."
And then the storm broke. The ominous cracks of thunder could be
heard even above the roar of the engines. Lightening lit up the
darkening skies, and within moments that great plane was like a
cork tossed around on a celestial ocean. One moment the airplane
was lifted on terrific currents of air; the next, it dropped as
if it were about to crash.
The pastor confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of
those around him. He said, "As I looked around the plane, I
could see that nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed.
Some were praying. The future seemed ominous and many were
wondering if they would make it through the storm.
Then, I suddenly saw a little girl. Apparently the storm meant
nothing to her. She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat
on her seat; she was reading a book and everything within her
small world was calm and orderly.
Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then
she would straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in
her world. When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible
storm when it lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell
with frightening severity, when all the adults were scared half
to death, that marvelous child was completely composed and
unafraid." The minister could hardly believe his eyes.
It was
not surprising therefore, that when the plane finally reached
its destination and all the passengers were hurrying to
disembark, our pastor lingered to speak to the girl whom he had
watched for such a long time.
Having commented about the storm and behavior of the plane, he
asked why she had not been afraid.
The child replied, "Cause my Daddy's the pilot, and he's taking
me home."
There are many kinds of storms that buffet us. Let us remember:
Our Father is the Pilot. He is in control and taking us home.
*Don't worry*!
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten
Son,
that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but
have everlasting life." John 3:16
What it means to be a Christian