Learning to Fly

As I type this my fanny is approximately 32,000 feet in the air. MmmHmm, girlfriends. I am flying the skies in a 737 and if “ya’ll” don’t know it——I’m afraid of heights. And by any definition 32,000 feet qualifies  as high.

{We’re experiencing turbulence right now. Ye old laptop is jittering around. The mind can go places when a plane shakes.}

I’m not sure when it started. I think I was quite small (10 years old or so). My father was excited to obtain his pilots license. He proudly took my sis and I up in a tiny craft. I remember wanting so badly to love it (for my Dad’s sake) but truthfully, I was terrified.

{Seriously, who wants to be in a hot bumpy container with no way out?}

I guess that was the beginning. Since then I’ve had nearly 40 years to work through my unhealthy relationship with flying.

{I just felt something bump beneath me. Do you think a tire fell out?}

The irony of course is that I married a man who LOVES aviation. I met Doc when he was 19 years old, going to school and building an airplane… in his garage.

{Of course. Why not fall in love with a guy that fly’s in a homemade airplane.}

Doc and I have survived our minor discrepancy regarding planes. He flies as much as he possibly can. I keep my feet on the ground as much as I possibly can.

And yet…

A few years back I learned there was something I was more afraid of than flying.

I was afraid of missing out.

I was afraid of saying “No” to God’s perfect plan for me. The seeds of change began with an amazing study by Lysa Terkeurst called, Saying Yes to God. You see, I love to speak. Writing a message and sharing it with 10 to 100 women makes my heart pitter patter. But when God laid this calling on my heart, He also whispered a very scary two letter word.

“Go.”

I don’t know why it surprised me. It’s in the great commission. We are called to do it. The hard part is that I had a nagging feeling “Go” might involve something other than ground to ground transportation.

Thus far, I’ve only had to fly a few times. I don’t like it. Truthfully, I’m not sure I ever will. But I’m grateful for the things God is teaching me as I forge through flights:

• He is present. The engines begin to roar, the plane begins to vibrate and immense power can be felt beneath my seat. As I close my eyes and pray I’m reminded that all things (including the body in seat 30D that holds my soul) are in His hands.

• He is powerful. The Old Testament is full of repeated references to our powerful God who is Lord of the Armies of Angels. His word is clear that these heavenly beings are on assignment. They fight battles and honor God’s marching orders. Flying gives me a chance to ask God for their aid. I usually don’t remember to chat with God about His army when I’m crossing the street in my hometown (population 15,000).  Flying affords me the opportunity to remember God’s remarkable provision of heavenly aid.

• He is perfecting me. God is greater than my fears and He lives in me.  Flying helps me remember that.  And in the process of remembering, I am changing. More accurately, God is changing me.

How about you? Is there something  God is asking you to say yes to? I hope you’ll do it. More than likely you won’t say yes because you’re brave. You’ll say yes because like me it won’t be that you have no fear…you’ll simply decide to do it despite your fear.

I’m glancing out the window as I finish this. I look over the wing and the sky is crystalline blue. The clouds look like puffs of cotton candy.

It. Is. Beautiful.

{How can those tiny rivets hold wings this size? For that matter how can tiny wings hold a plane this size?}

Guess, I’m still a work in progress.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT

Your DoAhead Friend,