Something that most people don't know about me is that I don't enjoy flying. Although I've traveled across the world to East Africa, stayed on a resort in Mexico, traveled to Jamaica to see family members, I loathe the experience of being on an airplane. And here's the kicker, I fly alone 99% of the time, so that means there's no one to hold my hand when I get scared during a long stretch of turbulence.
Interestingly enough though, I've had several dreams of me being on an airplane over the last 6 months but it wasn't until this week that I received a revelation from the Holy Spirit explaining why. See, taking a flight is the last thing I want to do in the natural world but it's something that I prayed for in the spirit. I love seeing people surrender their lives to Christ and I want to do my part in helping them surrender and remain that way. However, this doesn't come without a sacrifice and for me this means keeping the faith that God is with me no matter how turbulent things may become in flight or while I'm on assignment for the Kingdom.
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33
The word for tribulation in the Greek is thlipsis, which means pressure (literally or figuratively), afflicted, anguish, burdened, persecution. This honestly sums up how flying feels for me. I know this might sound dramatic to some people but catching a flight can feel incredibly burdensome at times, especially if I'm flying in bad weather. I have to tell myself not to think of the worst case scenarios, which has caused me a lot of unnecessary mental anguish no matter how long the flight is. Thankfully, my faith in God coupled with a few helpful tips from airplane videos on YouTube have helped me become more calmer over the years. Still, the fact remains that once I'm in the air, I can't end the flight when I want to nor does it always work out for me to avoid flying altogether. Instead, I have to trust that the safest way to travel is by plane just like the safest place to be is in God's hands.
May we no longer refuse the requests of God.
Did you know that a pilot can refuse to fly an airplane if he or she thinks it's unsafe even after the maintenance team determines that it's safe to travel in? Well, this is what some Christians are doing when the Father gives them a command. Hear me out, God is doing things that only He can get the glory for and He is putting greater glory on people who have enough faith to do, say, and go where He's sending them. While there is certainly a cost to following Jesus, there's also a lot of safety in it too. Unfortunately, this level of safety & security in Christ will remain unknown to those who refuse to trust and obey Him. The LORD wants people like you and me to do His will by making intercession for regions and nations, to say what others won't, and to live a life set apart from those who willingly engage in sin & iniquity. But the most important step isn't to show up at the airport or attend church on the weekend, it's to get onboard with God's will for your life, takeoff in pursuit of righteousness, and remain seated in faith knowing that God is with you during every turbulent trial that you experience along the way.
