As I write this article, I am currently on a flight that I did not expect to be taking today. My youngest sister had the opportunity and privilege last night to be a part of her high school’s homecoming court. Originally, my brother Drew was planning on flying back from Pensacola to be able to walk her across the field for this special ceremony. In a crazy turn of circumstances, my brother went from being able to go to not able to go, and I spent the beginning of Friday searching for a flight that would allow to me to make it there in time for her event at 7pm. Four short hours later, I was on a plane heading to California. It has been a whirlwind trip to say the least!
I am reminded of two things as I sit here on this plane heading to see my family. First, I am reminded how often in life we are faced with the unexpected. As I awakened today, I did not have making a last-minute flight on my agenda for the day. Life has a way of doing that. Sometimes, the unexpected brings joyful times - like getting to see family. Sometimes, the unexpected brings tears. The question that can often forces itself to the surface in these circumstances is how we do we handle the unexpected. The answer is always the same: Trust in the Lord who provides for every need and provides every support. I am reminded of the Psalmist’s words in Psalm 18 “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.”
When we are hit with the unexpected for us, we must reminded ourselves that it is not the unexpected for God. It has not taken Him by surprise, or left Him flat-footed, unable to meet the needs we cry out to Him with. It is this exact heart that Peter, no doubt reminiscing on the many times that God met his needs in the unexpected, expressed when he penned the reminder for the church at the end of 1 Peter 5, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” It is not a trite expression, but a faithful promise. It is the promise that our God’s rock providing a resting place for the storms of life.
The second thought I had is not really connected to the first. In fact, it’s largely a truth that I spent some time asking myself. I began to think about how I ended up on a plane in less than 5 hours from when I heard about the needs of my family, and a question popped into my mind. I jumped through a lot of hoops to be able to make it to my sister’s homecoming. Do I show the same level of tenacity and drive in sharing the Gospel? I don’t know about you but I was convicted. I think sometimes it becomes easy to make excuses — its not a good time,” “they’ve already heard it before,” “I don’t want to be the pushy religious relative.” Excuses that we would often never make in trying to meet the needs of our family. To me and my sister, her homecoming was important, but in the grand scheme of eternity, it is minute. How much more important is the eternal destination of people’s souls, and how often do I become complacent in sharing the Gospel with them?
I hope these lessons from an unexpected trip were an encouragement and a challenge to you. Trust God with your unexpected — He will always carry you through it when we lean on Him. Be bold with our witness — Eternity matters far more then the temporal we often place before it.
Serving together,
Pastor Derek