Getting Above the Storm

On a flight this past Monday headed to a conference, I was reminded of a flight I took years ago from LaGuardia in New York to San Francisco. As we sat on the runway, the rain that had begun as a steady stream became a series of pounding thuds on the wings of the metal bird about to take flight.

As we took off and rose higher, the plane began to rock back and forth. And many wondered why the pilot didn’t land. But the plane continued to struggle through the rain to go higher.

Being an experienced traveller, it dawned on me that the pilot was trying to get the plane above the storm. He knew that if we could get above the storm clouds, there would be peace at a higher altitude. He also knew that the sun was still shining above the storm clouds even though we couldn’t see it.

Had he had gone down to a lower level prematurely, we would never have reached our destination. In fact, the raging storm might have consumed us. No, the answer was and still is to go higher.

Right now I find myself in the midst of a storm. In considering my options, I’m tempted to go down to a certain level. But I’ve been down this road before and I’ve seen how detrimental and self-defeating it can be to sink to a low level or to give up on reaching your divine destination.

When trouble comes into your life and people scandalize your name, don’t sink to the lowest common denominator. Don’t give up once the Lord has given you clearance and wings to take flight. Don’t listen to those who have been grounded who want you to abandon your mission. We have to buckle in our seat belts; endure the shocks and bumps of life; and keep looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.  For He is the SON that is ever shining – even when we can’t see through the dark clouds of current circumstances or the raindrops of our tears.

Storms will come. I invite you to join me on this journey as I persevere. Transformation is not easy or for the faint of heart. But, we have to be determined to go higher. For there is victory in getting above the storm.

While others plot and conspire;
I’ve made up my mind to go higher!