Reflections From 37,000 Feet

by Tim LaVere
(West Branch, Michigan)

"What? You've got to be kidding me!"

My traveling partner's jaw nearly hit the floor when he saw the seats we had been assigned for our plane ride from Detroit to Atlanta. We were in row 38, seats A and B... the only seats on the plane without a window. My reaction? "Thank God, my prayers have been answered!"

It all took place just last week, and I'm happy to report that I survived my first plane ride ever! To say I was nervous about flying would be an understatement. But my burden was eased tremendously when I learned there would be no window nearby! I could safely relax in my seat and make believe I was in a very fast moving locomotive that never left the ground. Fortunately, the worst part of flying other than my unfounded fears was the two year old kicking the back of my seat on the return flight. I even brought home an empty airsick bag to prove to my wife that I wasn't scared.

She didn't buy it.

What's that old acrostic about fear? False Evidence Appearing Real? It sounds good on the surface, but it's harder to put into practice. Paul writes in Romans 8:15, "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear..." He's right, of course. Our fears were nailed to the cross along with our sins. God promised to be with us always, never to leave us, never to forsake us.

It was 24 years ago today that my mother died in a horrific traffic accident while riding her bicycle. For years, I would fear the anniversary of that terrible night. I allowed false evidence to rule my emotions. It took a long time for me to get it into my heart that fear doesn't come from God. My Father is a God of love and peace. He cares enough about us to get us through the difficult days. Often, He speaks comfort in a still quiet voice. Other times He sends people into our lives to speak His word. He can even give us just the right seat on our first plane ride.

The anniversary that frightened me so has become a time of quiet reflection. I honor my mom's memory by living a life that she would be proud of. I hold on to God's hand for comfort, and look to Him for guidance daily. I have nothing to fear, and everything to look forward to in Jesus.