faith unfaded

I hadn’t flown in years. That first takeoff was nerve-racking, and I had my eyes squeezed shut until the seatbelt signs went off.

After a brief layover in Atlanta, I was a little more prepared for the next leg of the trip. Alternating between peeking out the window and praying, I was still nervous but beginning to enjoy the view from 40,000 feet.

It was on my return flight that I was truly comfortable. Taking off felt like a metaphor for my life, barreling down the runway at 180 mph before reaching for the stars.

This time, ‘80s lyrics popped in my head: As we taxied down the runway, I could hear the people shout… (Don Henley, All She Wants to Do Is Dance)

But it wasn’t long before another song popped in my head, its lyrics fitting for both the flight—and a life in Christ.

I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.
(Higher Ground, 1892)

The beginning of the flight is often scary. Takeoff is one of the hardest parts. Moving through the clouds produces turbulence—not only is it rocky, you often can’t see where you are going. But once the plane reaches its peak altitude, it’s often smooth sailing. You reach your destination much faster— without traffic congestion or roadblocks—and you can sit back and enjoy the ride while the pilot is in control.

That is the perfect picture of John 17:16.

Rising through the turbulence of life is scary, and we often cannot see where the Master Pilot is headed. But if we keep our seatbelts on and trust Him, we end up with a beautiful view. We live above the clouds—where life’s troubles are visible but don’t consume us—protected by our own million pounds of steel, the spiritual armor of God.

We are going to have many takeoffs and landings—these are the mountains and valleys of life. But the Lord has a flight plan for us—and it’s a smoother journey if we keep our feet planted on higher ground.

From the MSG Bible:

I’m saying these things in the world’s hearing
So my people can experience
My joy completed in them.
I gave them your word;
The godless world hated them because of it,
Because they didn’t join the world’s ways,
Just as I didn’t join the world’s ways.
I’m not asking that you take them out of the world
But that you guard them from the Evil One.
They are no more defined by the world
Than I am defined by the world.

(John 17:13-19)