Turbulence made us shake and jostle up and down and from side to side. We were about 20 minutes before landing in Orlando when the announcement came:
“Ladies and gentlemen, turbulence is too severe for us to walk down the aisle,” the flight attendant said. “We’ll go with the honor system. Please make sure your seat belt is on, bags stowed under the seat, tables are secured and your seat is in the upright position. And please look to the person beside you and make sure they have also complied.”
Look to the person beside us? Good idea. We can hold each other accountable.
“Make sure you, yourself have complied first before checking others,” the flight attendant added.
Makes sense. Before we try to correct the person beside us, we have to do a self-check first.
The check list is important as we all encounter life’s turbulence. Whether it’s slight or severe, without exception, we all approach the final destination. And being wise, sharp and alert, and recognizing our human vulnerability in situations out of our control, we prepare.
And in the preparation, fear leaves, anxiety is gone and peace soothes our heart when we answer these three questions:
Are we secure in Jesus our Savior? If so, we’re guaranteed life eternal, and we prepare the attire for the journey: “As God’s chose people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12)
Do we have any baggage of resentment stowed away in our heart? “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13)
What do we hold high, above all? “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:14)
In the turbulence of our days and in the fast pace of this world, our final destination may be closer than we think…so…how would you answer these three questions?
Janet Eckles
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