No sooner than we had taken off, we heard the voice of the Captain. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking. Cabin crew will be ending their service at this time due to turbulence. Please return to your seats and fasten your seat belts. We will be experiencing turbulence for the next hour or so. Flight attendants/cabin crew, please be seated.”
From then on, it was like bump______, bump_______, bump ________bump, bump, bump _______.
I held on tightly to the armrest.
Bump, bump, bump….
I tried my best to think happy thoughts. (bump, bump, bump)
I visualized myself being cradled in the arms of God; no, not in heaven; but being cradled as He held the plane in the palm of His hand.
Certainly, this turbulence is no match for my big God.
It got so bad that I began to have a conversation with myself inwardly.
“Heather, it’s bumpy now but everything is going to be OK. Remember that the destination on your boarding pass says “LaGuardia Airport. You have an expected end. It didn’t say that you are going to land in a body of water or some wooded area. It says LaGuardia Airport.”
And the turbulence continued. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump.
And I continued to encourage myself.
“Heather, you remember that time when Jesus got into a boat and He told His disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side; and while they were traveling, they encountered a storm?” “What did Jesus do?” “After His disciples woke him up and asked him, “Don’t you care if we perish?” Jesus rebuked the wind and the waves.” “Peace, be still…”
So I began to speak, “Peace, be still!”
“Jesus… Jesus… Jesus… Jesus…”, I whispered
That was the first flight that I ever stayed awake the entire time.
I prayed the entire 2 hours of the flight.
I envisioned myself kissing the ground as soon as the plane landed.
Sure enough, 2 hours after Flight 2810 had taken off, we arrived safely to our destination; LaGuardia Airport.
I was sooooooo relieved and happy to get off that plane.
It was December 31 and I was so glad that it was the end of the year; as well as the end of that bumpy flight.
Well, it’s now 2023; and for some it has already been a rocky and bumpy year. I know because I’ve heard your stories. It’s just the beginning of the second week of the year and some have already received that dreaded phone call from their doctors. Bump. Bump. Bump.
Some are mourning the loss of their loved ones. Bump. Bump. Bump.
Some have lost their jobs. Bump. Bump. Bump.
The most painful story that I’ve heard since the beginning of 2023, is that of the death of a 4 month old baby, who died in her sleep. The heart wrenching cry of her grief stricken Dad is hard to describe. His scream was heart wrenching! When I heard the story of what happened, I wept for that family.
Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump.
Like the Captain who alerted us of what was going on; approximately how long we would continue to experience turbulence as well as what to do, I’d like to share with you a word from John 16:33.
“In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” NIV
“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” NLT
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.] AMP
“While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world.” CEV
My prayer for you is that no matter comes your way in 2023, no matter the ‘turbulence’ be assured that your Captain has already spoken. May His peace be your fortress and hiding place and may His voice and Word be a steady anchor for your soul.