Life Lessons from the Sky: Insights Gained from Flying

Have you ever observed that when you fly and look out the window, it appears as though the plane is not moving?

Whenever I travel by air, I love sitting by the window because I enjoy observing the scenery and appreciating nature's beauty, particularly the sunrise in the morning or the sunset in the evening.

During a flight to Melbourne, I was seated by the window as usual, this time near the plane's wings. It was afternoon, nd the sun was shining in all its glory, and the clouds were a beauty to behold. As is my habit, I was gazing out the window, admiring the clouds, when it seemed to me that the plane was not moving. Unbeknownst to me, the plane was indeed in motion. Upon reaching our destination, a friend remarked that the flight felt longer, and I mentioned that it seemed as though the plane was standing still at one point, which was my impression.

Later that year, on a flight to Perth, I realised the same thing, but in this case, I happened to be watching the clouds, and I noticed that the clouds were moving, and it became clear to me that we were indeed moving, even though it did not initially appear so.

As I delved into the mechanics of this idea, I was thrilled to recall the concept of stagnation in life and how we navigate through it. Let's be honest, sometimes, as humans, we feel stuck, like nothing's happening. We expect that by a certain age or stage, we should have achieved something significant, yet it might not seem to be the case. To make it relatable, think about those moments when you're in the same job, doing the same thing over and over. As Christians, it can be challenging because we trust in a God with a plan and purpose for us. We pray, asking Him to lead us to greater heights, but at times we feel frustrated when, despite our prayers, it seems like He's silent and we're still going in circles. We might have started with high hopes, but delays in seeing results can make us want to give up. Yet, I am reminded of the inspiring Bible verse: Though it delays, it will surely come to pass. Habakkuk 2:3.

Below are my key takeaways from my reflection.

Keep at it: When traveling, especially on those epic long flights, we gear up mentally and dive into activities like reading, watching movies, sleeping, and savoring in-flight meals, we do just about anything to keep us entertained and relaxed until we touch down at our destination. The same can be applied to our lives as we await our next adventure or chapter; we worship, pray, delve into the Bible, work diligently where we are, and embrace the season with gratitude. Essentially, it's all about living life to the fullest!

The presence of trouble does not mean the end: Just like in flying, there are times when we hit strong turbulence and storms that might leave us feeling fearful and shaken. But we have trained flight attendants ready to guide us and keep us calm (even if it doesn't always feel like it works), and skilled pilots doing their best to navigate us through the worst. In life, we face challenges too, some even life-threatening. But with Christ as the pilot of our lives, He always pulls us through, with the Holy Spirit always there to comfort and guide us. Plus, we need mentors and friends who can keep us grounded when we feel we're losing our way, friends who can hold our hands when we're struggling to find our bearings.

A slight delay will not change the outcome:

There are times when a plane arrives at its destination but must remain airborne until it receives clearance to land. Similarly, in life, right on the brink of a breakthrough, a tiny delay pops up. But have no fear! These pauses are part of the divine plan, and they don't alter the incredible outcome of God's promises being fulfilled. We know the story of Daniel from Daniel 10, where he prayed, and although God answered his prayer, the prince of Persia delayed the response. A battle ensued between the prince of Persia and the angel Michael, but ultimately, the angel triumphed and delivered the answer after 21 days.

And let's not forget those moments when weather conditions keep us grounded. It doesn't mean we won't fly out or get to our destination; it simply means the journey might take a little longer as the delay might span between hours and days. The saying "delay is not denial" rings so true, filling us with hope and anticipation!

Takeoffs and landings are often forceful and dizzying: I don't know about you, but my gosh, I can't stand the takeoff and landing because I get nauseous and dizzy when taking off and with the landing, because of the force, i feel as though my head will leave my body, but hey that is only temporal right? Because eventually, when the plane is airborne, it starts cruising on a steady level, and I don't feel dizzy anymore, same with the landing. Sometimes in life, we may feel overwhelmed, lost, or not in control, like nothing seems to make sense. But that is OK too because the one in control knows what He is doing and will get us steady in no time. And the view on the other side makes up for the trouble, and you just stare in wonder at the beauty of creation.

Much like an aircraft that appears stationary amidst the clouds yet ultimately reaches its destination, it might feel like we're stuck, but God is actively working in and through us to fulfill His purpose! His plans are filled with hope, guiding us to our destined end. All we need to do is wait, cherish where we are, and trust God for the exciting season ahead.

With God, we can be confident in reaching the destination He has set for us, despite life's challenges. Let's strive to be like Christ, peacefully resting during the storm, confident that we'll reach the other side. Sure, it's easier said than done after all, even His disciples, who witnessed His miracles firsthand, felt fear with Jesus right there with them. But with discipline, a deep relationship with God, and unwavering trust in His power, we can embrace this journey with confidence!