Five passengers, including a baby, were injured this past Monday on Flight 1676 from Denver, Colorado to Billings, Montana. As the jet began its descent toward the Billings airport, it encountered some severe turbulence. The plane dropped sharply, causing those who were injured to be thrown around in the cabin of the aircraft. Investigators are trying to determine if the “Fasten Your Seatbelts” sign was illuminated at the time of the incident (source: Amy Hubbard, latimes.com, 2-18-14).
Turbulence. That is a great word to describe life at times, isn’t it? You know what I am talking about, don’t you? You are cruising along, minding your own business and then -- WHAM -- out of nowhere, the bottom drops out, leaving your bruised and battered. A financial setback. A lost job. An unexpected diagnosis. A death in the family. All of these things and more can turn your life upside down. How do we deal with the turbulence of life? Allow me to suggest two things.
First, expect it. Some flights have very little turbulence. Other can leave you with a death grip on the armrests. But turbulence happens. It happens in every life. It can take different forms and comes in varied measures, but no one is immune to it. God has warned us that tough times are part of life, so expect it.
Second, prepare for it. No, I’m not talking about always expecting the worst to happen, but to be mindful of the possibility. It seems to me that hurtling along at over 600 miles per hour in an aluminum tube between tanks of jet fuel is always a great time to wear a seatbelt. After all, who know what problems the weather outside the plane might cause? If you keep the seatbelt on, you are better prepared for the unexpected. Life is the same way. If you are always wearing the seatbelt of God’s providential care and protection, you are more likely to survive the turbulent times of life.
The “Fasten Your Seatbelts” sign is on. Are you buckled in?
God loves you!
Mike
