Divine Providence

Divine Providence
Alice Smith

This weekend we've all remembered 9/11. I'm sure you know where you were the day our nation changed. I can. Each of us have pivotal experiences that change our perspective on life. Such was the case for me on one occasion.

As I boarded the airplane that evening I was really weary. The weekend of ministry had been extra hard for some reason, and I felt a head cold coming on. I dropped into the seat for the ride home and dozed off almost immediately. Somewhere in my subconscious, I was still aware of the takeoff and the plane's smooth sailing through the sky. The flight attendants had already served everyone and dimmed the overhead lights.

I must have been asleep for most of the trip, when the jolt of the plane awoke me. The turbulence was some of the worst I'd ever experienced. My window seat allowed me to look outside, but there was no visibility, only thick, dark clouds. It was quite unsettling as the plane lurched up and down and from side to side. I strained to see the ground but to no avail.

It seemed like an eternity before the captain came on the intercom. His deep, soothing voice was comforting. “This is your captain speaking. Folks, there is no reason to worry; the haze is thick and the turbulence is rather bad, but ground control has us on their radar and they will help us make a safe landing. We will be landing soon.”

Although the plane continued to rock, and it wasn’t a comfortable experience, the control room below could see the big picture. They could land the plane safely. At that moment the Lord reminded me that even though at times the circumstances of our lives become tumultuous and hinder our visibility, the heavenly Father always sees the big picture. Not to worry, He has us on His radar. We often strain to see in the natural something that God is doing only in the spiritual.

Experiences like this have taught me several things. The relationship we maintain with the Father and the atmosphere produced by that relationship are very important. Religious rules and regulations won’t carry us when the going gets rough. We need an intimate and close fellowship with God. Our relationship is found in a deep abiding faith as we rest in the arms of a good and faithful Father.

Secondly, if we expect to be prepared to face life’s trials we must maintain a meaningful relationship with the Father. When the bottom drops out and we are rocked by trauma, there isn’t time to build a trusting relationship with God. At those times we need to rest in the relationship we’ve already developed with Him.

Life can be exceedingly challenging at times. Yet prayer should be our first response to a challenge. In our desperate cry for help with life’s twists and turns, the Lord is drawing us to listen to His voice. This isn’t a step into the dark; it is a step into the light of faith in Him.

This walk of faith insists that we silence our busy and fretful hearts, preparing us to hear God’s voice. Once we hear and obey Him, this is confirmation that the new nature of Christ is at work in us. Now we just need to step out and trust Him. To the degree that we learn the voice of our heavenly Father and desire to understand His ways, to that same degree we will also hear His voice and walk in His ways. Our personality, intelligence or talents have little to do with it.

The next time you find yourself in the haze of life’s turbulence, and there is no clear view, draw close to the heart of God. There you will find peace. He has you on His radar screen and you can trust Him to bring you safely home.