Skip to main content

Even More Out of Control


Last week, I wrote that we often do not have control of things once they leave our hands.  In this week’s post, I want to take being out of control to a whole new level.

Our flight home was supposed to take about 30 minutes once we took off.  But, after two attempts to land, our plane was rerouted to another airport to take on more fuel.

Our flight from the refueling airport to our original destination was supposed to take about 35 minutes once we took off.  But after another two attempts to land, we had enough fuel for just one more landing attempt before we would have to fly again to an airport for refueling.

It was all a bit nerve wracking.  As each of the landings was attempted, there was enough visibility that allowed the plane to begin its descent.  But, in each case, as we were within just a few miles of the airport, an incoming cloud would sweep in and reduce the visibility to the point below which it was safe to land.  It was a very obvious case where we couldn’t control the weather

And while the pilot of our plane was doing his part and our safety was never at risk, we, as passengers, were in a place where we could do nothing to contribute to the results or control the outcome.  Talk about doubly feeling out of control!

But we can know someone who is totally in control:  “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.  And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”  (Col 1:15-17)

We didn’t end up having to fly to another airport again to take on fuel.  During that third attempt to land (fifth overall), no clouds swept through to hamper visibility and we landed.  People audibly sighed with relief and some even clapped.  It was great to get home without any further delays or detours! 

It was a very humbling reminder that we control so very little of what goes on in life.   And while I noted above that we, as passengers could do nothing to contribute to the outcome, I did leave out one very important thing, we could pray and trust our God who does control the outcome.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Not Just Idle Words

I own a 25 year old car.  The body might be falling apart but the engine runs great and it idles smoothly.  Such idling is good. Idling can also have to do with spending too much time doing nothing or being without purpose or being engaged in that which is pointless.  Such idling is not good. What if I were to tell you that I know of something that is the about as far as being without purpose as you can get?  Would you want it? Here is that something:  “They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”  ( Deut 32:47) Other versions of the Bible use some different words for that first phrase in the verse and such can be helpful in assessing how important the words really are: “Not meaningless words…”   “These are not just useless words…”   “No empty word for you…”   “Not unimportant words…”   “Not useless words…”   ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Very Present

I love words that have multiple meanings but the same spelling.  Take the word “present” for example.  You may be thinking of “present”, as in a gift.  Gotta love those! But I’m thinking of “present”, as in existing now or occurring now. I’m also thinking of “present”, as in being at hand. Why those two latter ones, you might ask, why not just go with the gift! Well, I recently read Psalm 46, and here is the first verse:   “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Some theologians suggest the word “present” in this Psalm has the meaning of “well proven”.  I certainly can appreciate that. But I’ve been wondering if “present” could include the meaning of “now existing or now occurring”.  That is, God is exists now and is occurring in our lives. Furthermore, I’ve been wondering if “present” could also include “being at hand”.  That is, God is here, right now, with us.   And with even further wondering, the wo...
Post a Comment
Read more

Be Amazed!

Be amazed… Jesus welcomed sinners …The Pharisees and legal experts were grumbling, saying, “This man welcomes sinners… (Luke 15:2) Jesus hung out with sinners …And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” (Luke 19:7) Jesus ate with sinners …And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” (Matt 9:11) Jesus was a friend of sinners …The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ (Matt 11:19) With Jesus being so welcoming, what did people do? People came to see Him …They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” (John 12:21) People came to hear Him …Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. (Luke 15:1) People followed Him …While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many ta...
Post a Comment
Read more