Traveling can be a hassle with long lines, security checks, baggage handling, expensive food, immigration forms, customs charges, and more. But amid all the issues surrounding travel, the central figures remain the pilots.
Their actions and roles form the hub around which everything else revolves. Today, I was reminded of this while sitting in an airport waiting for a flight that had been delayed for over two hours. No one, including airline representatives and airport staff, seemed to know exactly why this delay kept dragging on.
Eventually, the long-awaited announcement came that the flight was boarding. But lo and behold, just as I was about to walk through the final checkpoint to board the plane, I was stopped. The pilot announced to the agent that boarding had to be halted due to a maintenance issue. I could not believe it!
This flight was already previously delayed due to weather conditions. Then it was delayed because of maintenance. Eventually, after another two hours had passed, it was canceled, and all passengers were required to rebook for tomorrow.
Whether these reports are valid is not something within my power to confirm. Like every other passenger, I’m subject to the captain’s decisions, reports, and actions. It is their responsibility to act in the best interest of all crew members and passengers. And the passengers, by boarding the aircraft, trust that the captain will safely navigate them all to the intended destination.
Life’s journey has many unexpected twists and turns. And oftentimes, we get flustered, asking for everyone’s opinion and theory about what’s going on and why things are happening. However, we would be better served by recognizing that God is in complete control. This reality helps us to:
1. Refuse to fret over unexpected and unpredictable circumstances.
2. Trust God’s ability to keep us, even when things get tough.
3. Rely on Him for guidance to navigate challenges.
The psalmist, David, understood the importance of trusting in the One who is in charge. In Psalm 37, he penned several verses that demonstrate his confidence in God’s sovereignty. Here are just a few:
– Verse 3: Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
– Verse 5: Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
– Verse 7: Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
We are limited in our ability to control much of the circumstances of life. But the good news is that we can truly trust the God of the universe. So, when life appears to be spiraling out of control, remember who is in charge.