Out of Our Control
Two weeks ago, I escaped my regular routine and headed to parts east to visit friends. I love seeing these friends and I appreciate being away for a bit. I was excited to be heading out and eager to meet up with these dear people from my college years.
About 45 minutes into my first flight, one of the flight attendants asked for any medical personnel that might be willing to help to come forward as there was a “medical situation.” After a moment, a gentleman got up from across the aisle from me and walked to the front where he was soon followed by a younger guy a few rows up. From my vantage point, I could tell that the two of them were moving purposefully around an unknown person who was laying on the floor of the galley.
Let me pause to admit to you here that my initial reaction was less laudable. When the flight attendant asked for medical people, my first thought was, “Oh no, are we going to have to land to let this person off the plane? And if so, will I miss my connecting flight?” I'm happy to say that another part of my brain quickly took over and said, “Of course we will land if we need to for this poor person who is unwell and laying on the floor of an airplane. I would want the same if it were me.” I decided a better use of my energy was to pray for health for this person instead of worrying about my connection.
The plane kept flying, and after a while, the two medical people made their way back to their seats. Well, how about that – no early landing!
As we neared Austin, the pilot came on and informed us that there was a line of thunderstorms between us and the airport. He went on to tell us that we would need to circle for a while in the air and let the storms pass. I sort of shrugged because an extra 20 minutes would be fine – I’d still make my next flight. I went back to reading my book.
But after 20 minutes, the pilot came back on to say we were diverting to another airport because we were too low on fuel to stay in our circle pattern much longer. My odds of making my next flight were dropping precipitously and my spirit drooped a bit. But since fuel is rather important, I got my mind right and instead of worrying about the next flight and because I could feel the collective stress level rising, I figured I’d better pray for calm for all of us.
Uncertainty about what would happen next rippled through the cabin as we landed in Corpus Christi instead Austin. Would we take off soon? Would we be going back to Austin? Would we have enough time to our planned destinations? Would there be more delays? Were there any more snacks? So many questions with no immediate answers (well, except the one about the snacks – no, there were not enough snacks).
But that is exactly like Life for us – so many questions with few immediate answers. We move through our days with the idea that we can control things, that we know where things are going, or how things might turn out. Of course, the reality is that very little is within our control and surprises happen to us on the regular. God never promises us control over our circumstances or other people, as much as we might like to have it. But what is promised is that God will be with us in each moment – whether that unfolds exactly as we hoped it would or if it is a complete surprise. God’s presence with us is unshakable and that is enough.
We ended up doing a quick refuel in Corpus Christi before taking off again for Austin. I was delayed in arriving in Nashville, but only by about two hours. I had the most delightful conversations with people I wouldn’t have otherwise met had things gone as planned and I had many reminders that this whole trip was largely out of my control. I decided to do my best to enjoy the journey, wherever it took me. But I also had the reminder that God was with me every mile of this trip just as surely as God is with you in each moment of each day. And whether we’re traveling or just at home – what a gift God's presence is for all of us.
