In the mid 1990’s, I was visiting the Pigeon Forge, TN area and saw a huge sign that said “HELICOPTER RIDES!” I had never flown before and it seemed like a quick, easy thing to do. I observed people parking, walking up to the pay window, and then eventually jumping into a helicopter and zoom, they were in the air. I made the decision to take my first ride in the air. When I walked up to the “helicopter office,” I became more excited. My cost for this experience, $50.00 for about 20 minutes! “What a deal I thought!” Liability paperwork signed and fee paid. Next thing I know, I am getting belted in a chopper along with a few other people who were just as excited as I was. The blades sped up, door closed, and lift off! Needless to say, the butterflies were running wild in my stomach and the adrenaline was rushing as we climb towards the clouds. Once we leveled off and began to fly around, I felt peace for lots of reasons, but mainly due to looking down and seeing how I was literally plucked out of the chaos, traffic, and busyness of humanity in an instant. For the first time in my life, I realized how small I really was and how much people were just running on top of one another to get to one place to another. I used some of my time in the air to simply observe all the directions so many on the ground were running and all the directions people were running…..and for what?
The point is this, nothing is wrong with moving about in society via working, playing, or just simply going through the journey of life, but how many times are we so easily sidetracked and get “wrapped around the wheel of life” forgetting our commitment to Christ? As we begin a new week, may we consider focusing on our spiritual growth by:
1. Studying to be approved of God. II Timothy 2:15
2. Growing in knowledge of our Lord. II Peter 3:18
3. Searching the Scriptures. Acts 17:10-11
4. Understanding faith comes from hearing. Romans 10:17
5. Knowing God’s expectations for us. Psalm 119:104
When life gets tough and challenging, we may want to hop in aircraft and escape or we may be looking for an exit in relation to whatever we are dealing with. We all have been there. When surrounded by chaos, may the first thing we do is turn to God by study, searching His Word, and realizing He is the only One that can provide us with true peace no matter what.
