Many years ago, I climbed into the back row of a 4-seat, single-engine airplane with three members of my family, one of whom was the pilot – who wanted to take us on a little adventure, while adding flight hours to his logbook. We were all young, adventurous and childless. Had we really thought about it, we might have talked ourselves out of that afternoon flight. After all, if we went down, that’s the whole family…gone in a flash. I didn’t realize it until we were on the runway and the wheels lifted off the ground, that our lives were surrendered completely into our pilot’s hands. It was up to him to get us off the ground, in the air and back down…safely. My heart raced. My stomach was in my throat. My knuckles were white, gripping the armrest. I had no choice but to trust in his ability to fly. Once we were in the sky, the view took my fear and a peace came over me. There it was…the familiar site of the city below us…but from a whole new perspective! It was an invigorating experience!
What might I have missed had I not ventured into the back seat of that little airplane? Because of that experience, I can now (sort of) identify with the thrill-seeking sky diver or rock climber, who ventures out into the realm of “vigorous living”. It seems to me that two things happen here in the process: 1) letting go of fear and 2) trusting in the instruments required for a good outcome.
Most people I know are not thrill seekers (although I know a few – and you know who you are). Most of us raised in suburbia America live in comfort most of the time. Our boats are not rocked very often. We plan the life and we live the plan…at least we try to. American author, Joseph Campbell once wrote, “We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.”
It’s hard letting go, though…right? I submit it is harder for some than others, especially those of us with well-laid “plans” for the way we think things should go. Scripture tells us the opposite of what our natural bent is: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Wait a minute. Trust in something else but me? With ALL my heart? What if things don’t work out the way I want them to? What if I’m disappointed? What if I fail? What if I’m hurt? I’m not one to let anyone else take over! I can give myself up to a certain point, but that’s as far as I can go. I know me better than anyone else! How does God know what’s best for me?
But that’s the whole point of letting go. Fear holds us captive…imprisoned…by what? By our limited understanding of things. Letting go releases in us faith…trust…in the unlimited power of the Sovereign Creator’s plan for us! His plan will likely be different from what we planned. It may even be a difficult way. But guess what? God DOES know what’s best for you! He knows you better than you know yourself! David, a man after God’s own heart knew this: “You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.”
Holding on to what WE know really does limit the outcome, leaving the bounty of God’s blessing on the table of abundant living! Why settle for less? God’s will IS perfect, shaping the outcome for our good – always! His ways are worthy of our trust. God’s faithfulness is evident all around us. He proves it every day in the sunrise and in the sunset. In the rainstorm and in the rainbow. In the birth of a baby and in the death of a loved one passing into His Presence. He proved it in His Son, Jesus the Savior and Redeemer of the world HE created.
How will you respond…trust in your own ways, or trust in God’s ways? Hold on to the life you’ve planned, or let go to accept the one waiting for you? Which of these ways meets God at the point of His promises for you? “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope. I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you. And My peace, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
(Proverbs 3:5, Psalm 139:1-3, Jeremiah 29:11, Isaiah 41:13, Philippians 4:7)