The small commuter plane was in rough weather. Most people around me seemed to be in a panic. I had ordered a double whiskey as soon 20 minutes ago and it was gone. No hope of getting another in this type of turbulence. “An hour at least to go” as I thought this, the plane dropped raising me out of my seat. “Great, I am going to die and I can’t even get another drink!”
I looked out the window but there was no use. Nothing but clouds and mist. As I turned to the passenger in the aisle seat I could see as I had before none of this seemed to bother her. I noticed she was reading something on a Kindle reader. That irritated me. Thinking with conceit, “I like the feel of a real book, not some white screened electronic device. You can’t even turn pages!” I leaned closer to her and asked, “Do you really like reading on one of those things?” Pointing at the leather-bound machine in her hands. She looked up and with a note of regret in her voice said, “No, I really miss the feel of a book but when I travel, it is so convenient. I can have my Bible and several other books with me all on one device. It is a blessing in many ways.” I turned back to the window not wanting to encourage any further conversation. Last thing I needed right now was someone preaching the Bible to me.
The plane rolled and dropped again. This time a heard a few shrieks of terror and felt a shock of fear myself. Against my better judgement I turned back to the woman next to me and said with a smirk, “I suppose you believe this kind of thing is all God’s will.” She was silent for a moment and did not raise her head. I was about to turn away when she said, “If you mean do I believe God is in control, the answer is yes. If you are saying do I believe that fear, torment and death are God’s will the answer is no.” She looked steadily at me and said, “God’s will is learning to trust Him in all circumstances. At this moment, I choose to do just that.”
What can you trust in our world today? The President says you can’t trust the media and the media says you can’t trust the President. Social media full of stories that have no sources yet become fact just because they go viral. We are bombarded by ‘reality television’ that has no reality. We follow all this as if it is the truth. Wanting to believe to trust something, anything. Maybe we should be looking to a source that never fails, God’s Word, the Bible.
In this time of instant gratification, the dusty pages of the Bible just do not seem relevant. Even when we do attend church, we seek the ones where preachers don’t spend a lot of time in the Word. Just give us the love of Jesus and let’s get on with our day. The Word has been scrutinized, defamed, and scoffed at. But I am here to tell you, it is in its pages where you will find truth that your life can depend on. God’s Word can be trusted.
I am sure some of you are about to quit reading right about now. I know less than ten years ago I would have been right there with you. But give this a few more sentences before you leave. I want to challenge you to do something. Pick one of the Gospels, any one. It could be Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. Read it, if you can’t read it, download it on your phone and listen to it. Maybe on your way to work. Give God’s Word a chance. I promise you if you do this with an open mind you will find truth you can trust. Truth that is life changing.
In a world, full of untruths there is one place that you will be able to turn to where things never change. The immutable God has words that have stood since the beginning of time. The book of Psalms says it like this, “Forever, O Lord, your word is fixed in the heavens.” (Psalm 119:98). Tomorrow you may find out that story you read on Facebook was false, but God’s Word will be there. Truth you can trust.
The plane continued its tumultuous journey and landed in Orlando Florida on time. I had very little conversation with the woman sitting next to me but was sure she was not bothered by the plane ride or by the smell of fear that was so pervasive. As we were existing the plan I was surprised that she held a book in her hand. I said, “I thought you didn’t carry books with you.” She said with a smile, “Maybe just a few that I can share with others.” Holding out the Bible, she said, “You seemed to want to know what I trusted even on rides like we just shared. I trust God and His word. Maybe on your next flight you can read this.” I held up my hands and shook my head. I brushed past her. I often wished I would have taken that Bible. I thank God that today I can say like her, “I trust in God and His word.” I pray the same will be true for you. Just give it a chance.
Blessings John
7/17/17