From Above!
An Online Ministry for the Men of CLF
When we venture into the world to earn a living, we all face our own unique set of challenges. As you can see, my office has a great view! But some days are more challenging than others. Long days away from home, weekly hotel stays, continuous jetlag and stress are some of the challenges we face in the travel industry. As men, sometimes our life is not aligning with our testimony...what people see on the outside is far from the feelings and emotions we are experiencing on the inside...
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Abort!
There is no phase of flight more subject to errors in judgement than the takeoff. Before safe flight can be achieved, these multi-ton aircraft go from being large buses, to subsonic space vehicles in a matter of seconds. Should a critical event occur at takeoff speed, stopping on less than two miles of runway at speeds over 150 mph is difficult at best. Most runways are much shorter than two miles and braking action is often less than ideal depending on runway conditions. In this critical phase of flight, is imperative to know how and what to do before an event occurs...whether it be an engine fire, a tire failure or an engine failure at the point of lift off . For years, in every training scenario, we train for these possible but rare events. We always hope for the best results, but we plan each takeoff with the potential for critical failures BEFORE we begin the takeoff roll. In the case that we discover the aircraft to be unsafe for flight early enough in the takeoff roll, we abort the takeoff. If it is late in the takeoff roll, and the speed is high, it is safer to takeoff and land as soon as possible. In either case, much thought goes into the possible outcome of every transition from earth to sky!
In our lives we all face critical moments. Moments that define us...that reveal to our own hearts what lies within us. Even Jesus was faced with the temptation to respond to His own flesh...even the basic legitimate needs of His flesh in an inappropriate manner...a manner unpleasing to God. In fact God prerequisited Jesus ministry with the temptation in the desert. Satan was allowed to influence Him at a time of great vulnerability. He was lonely, hungry, tired and uncomfortable...all part of God's plan of character development and self revelation. In Jesus case, He walked this path before us an an example of how to abort the enemies tactics. When Peter denied Christ, he was devastated. But Jesus had called Peter, anointed him and encouraged him BEFORE he failed, knowing beforehand that Peter would stumble in his faith. Peter's shame was so great that he no doubt assumed he had failed his Lord beyond repair...but Jesus...(God!)...came to him so that he could stand again after his failure! That's the amazing love and grace of God... that sees us before we fail and lays a plan to help and keep us.
So let's listen to the Master and He will show us how to walk away from the enemy...how to abort those threatening life events...
Keep on keeping on!
In our lives we all face critical moments. Moments that define us...that reveal to our own hearts what lies within us. Even Jesus was faced with the temptation to respond to His own flesh...even the basic legitimate needs of His flesh in an inappropriate manner...a manner unpleasing to God. In fact God prerequisited Jesus ministry with the temptation in the desert. Satan was allowed to influence Him at a time of great vulnerability. He was lonely, hungry, tired and uncomfortable...all part of God's plan of character development and self revelation. In Jesus case, He walked this path before us an an example of how to abort the enemies tactics. When Peter denied Christ, he was devastated. But Jesus had called Peter, anointed him and encouraged him BEFORE he failed, knowing beforehand that Peter would stumble in his faith. Peter's shame was so great that he no doubt assumed he had failed his Lord beyond repair...but Jesus...(God!)...came to him so that he could stand again after his failure! That's the amazing love and grace of God... that sees us before we fail and lays a plan to help and keep us.
So let's listen to the Master and He will show us how to walk away from the enemy...how to abort those threatening life events...
Keep on keeping on!
