My friend, Josephine recently took a flight to California. On the way, there was significant turbulence and the Lord began to impress her with principles about making it through the turbulence of life.
This morning I was trying to have a quiet time and the Lord brought my attention back to a teaching I did on what is precious in the sight of the Lord.
The scripture was in 1 Peter 3:4, NKJ . . . but let your beauty be "the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible ornaments of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God."
The word "quiet" doesn't mean the absence of talking (thank the Lord!) it means: to keep one's seat, to hold your position or ability, to hold your possession or condition.
Frankly, when I sat down to pray and read this morning, all I could think of what how much I had to do. My "do" juices were at a boil. The task of quieting my mind to sit and be with the Lord was not working. Then I thought of Jo's turbulence teaching.
The turbulence was being created by my desire to accomplish things. I was forgetting how the Lord multiplies my time when I place Him first. He keeps my mind clear and helps me be more productive than if I force myself to work harder.
As I fidgeted in my seat, the cartoon above flowed into my imagination. That guy was upset with how the pilot was handling the turbulence.
"Let me UP!" he screeched.
"Where are you going?" asked the lady beside him.
"I'm going to fly this plane MYSELF!"
"Are you a pilot?" she asked.
"No, but . . ."
The desire of my heart is to live in such a way that the Lord will call me "very precious in His sight." Holding back my enthusiasm until I hear from my Pilot is key. Trying to fly my own plane is NOT the answer. It will CAUSE turbulence in my life.
We don't have what it takes, apart from God, to live a good Christian life. Why do we try? Too often I find myself running backwards to look where I left the Lord.
He's never in a hurry. He walks along steadily, listening to the Father, sure of where He's going, and wanting our company for the journey. The only safe place for us in this life is to keep our seats (that position of faith and peace He's given us), keep buckled in (with His Word of Truth) trust the Pilot, and don't try to fly the plane.
Finally, when my engines slowed to a purr, He gave me this blog. Yum.