Blog

The flight instructor turned to the student pilot and said, “Ok, let’s descend and land.” 

“Right,” said the student. 

The instructor watched closely, her hands hovering over the controls. This was going to be the student’s first approach. 

“He’s doing great,” she thought. “So relaxed, smiling. No sign of stress.” 

The airplane sank toward the runway, crossed the threshold and then slammed into the pavement. It bounced up 20 feet before hitting the runway again where it promptly looped around before rolling off into the grass. 

“That was the worst landing I have ever seen,” screamed the instructor. “What were you thinking?” 

“I thought you were landing the plane,” said the student.  

John Kerr wrote a wonderful Central Challenge last week under the headline: “Perspective.” He described his view of the mountains as his flight slipped over the granite peaks of southern British Columbia toward Abbotsford International Airport.  

“Abbotsford International? What a grandiose name for YXX,” I thought. I mean the airport looks like a check mark from the air with one short and one longer runway. I was surprised it could handle a 737.  

YXX is pilot shorthand for Abbotsford. It’s what they print on your baggage tags. Pearson is YYZ, Hamilton is YHM, Brantford is YFD. Never mind, pilot geek stuff. 

I remember flying into YXX as a student pilot. There is a 4000-foot peak just east of runway 07, the main landing strip. The approach is flown at precisely 69 degrees on the compass. Not 70 degrees, not 68 degrees, 69. If you missed the approach you had to do a hairy go-around involving a hard left bank and climb. 

Flying an airplane is actually fairly easy, it’s just not forgiving of mistakes. Pilots need to be humble and submit to precisely following operating procedures, checklists, approach charts, flight plans and air traffic controllers and instructors.  

When I was listening to Pastor Jeremy take us through Psalm 9 on Sunday, I was struck by the call to humility at the end of the Psalm and that failure to humble oneself leads to disastrous results. 

Psalm 9:19–20 

[19] Arise, O LORD! Let not man prevail; 

let the nations be judged before you! 

[20] Put them in fear, O LORD! 

Let the nations know that they are but men! Selah (ESV) 

My flying instructor spent a great deal of time pressing fear and humility into my heart.  

I needed to know that I was “just a man,” Selah. 

“See those cumulonimbus clouds? As far as you are concerned they are made out of concrete, and if you fly into them you will die.” Selah. 

Psalm 9:17 

[17] The wicked shall return to Sheol, 

all the nations that forget God. (ESV) 

So will the pilots who forget the rules of flight and the SOPs (standard operating procedures). 

The scriptures are the Standard Operating Procedures for Christians. 

Do you want to fly right? Heed the scriptures. 

Psalm 9:7–8 

[7] But the LORD sits enthroned forever; 

he has established his throne for justice, 

[8] and he judges the world with righteousness; 

he judges the peoples with uprightness. (ESV) 

God is the chief flying instructor here. He teaches us, He guides, He helps us and He judges us. 

He is also on our side. 

Psalm 9:9–10 

[9] The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, 

a stronghold in times of trouble. 

[10] And those who know your name put their trust in you, 

for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you. (ESV) 

The standard operating procedures say, learn His name and seek Him out. 

My flying instructor provided me with flight manuals and operating instructions. He told me to study them, take them to heart and if I had questions, to ask and not presume. 

Do that, he said, and you will get your wings. 

Psalm 9:11 

[11] Sing praises to the LORD, who sits enthroned in Zion! 

 

While flying into Abbotsford this spring, I was treated to a view of the Rocky Mountains that I had never experienced. Flying across a cloudless sky the scope of those mountains was breathtaking. Valleys and rivers abounded. I am sure that I saw places that had never been walked on by a man. I tried to imagine hiking through those imposing heights, paddling along fresh water and camping in the shadows of those rocky peaks. It was a highlight of my trip. 

As we passed over the mountains one word came to mind: perspective. In the plane I had a perspective that was unique. I am not sure at what altitude we were flying, but obviously it was at least several thousand feet above the mountains. From that altitude it wasn’t easy to pick out details, but I could imagine what I was missing. 

Many years ago, I heard a sermon by a missionary whom I greatly admired. He taught that battles weren’t won on the mountains, but armies fought on the plains. Mountains were a place to retreat and to hide and to regroup. So, when we talk of “mountain top” experiences we must realize that the mountain tops are not a place where battles are won. 

One biblical example that comes to mind is that of Elijah in 1 Kings 17 through 19. Elijah is one of the most revered of the Old Testament prophets. He became known as the prophet who would precede the Messiah and he appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration with Moses. His exploits are many, especially when he took on the prophets of Baal and defeated them soundly. Yet he fled into the mountains out of fear of Jezebel. He was so afraid that at one point he cried to God, “O Lord, take away my life.” Through wonderful signs to Elijah, the Lord ministered to him and restored him. At the end of his despair God revealed to him that seven thousand had not bent the knee to Baal. 

Perspective.  

For some reason, Elijah had lost his. However, in the mountains he regained that perspective and was restored. The plains were a place of victory, but the mountains were a place of restoration. 

On several occasions Jesus went into the mountains to seek a time alone with His Father. It was on the plains where He ministered to the people, performing many miracles and teaching those who would listen about the Kingdom of God.  

Paul spoke of having the mind of Christ “who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God… and took upon him the form of a servant.” Jesus called His followers to take up their cross and follow Him.  

Biblical perspective runs counter to the world. The first shall be last, the greatest shall be least and the way to life is to lose it. To gain this perspective takes work and discipline. Artists have to learn perspective in order to make their art make sense. We have to learn perspective in order to enjoy the fullness of the Christian life. 

I don’t know if I will ever witness the splendour of the Rocky Mountains as I did that day. On the return trip the clouds obscured the view that I had enjoyed the first time. Since then, I have been aware of that need to have a Biblical perspective in my life so that I may be ready to fight the battles that will present themselves as I seek to walk with Jesus. 

 

Recently, my husband Casey and I were at a small restaurant for lunch. We went for fish and chips. 

We were the only ones in the restaurant and stood at the counter looking up at a blackboard where their menu was written out. 

It included various items, drinks and desserts. On the side wall was another giant blackboard with just the fish and chips selections. 

As Casey was scanning the front menu, he looked puzzled. “Where are the fish and chips listed?” he asked. The counter person and I simultaneously pointed to the giant blackboard to the right. 

“Ahh yes,” said Casey. 

We ordered the same thing, sat and had a nice lunch. 

I was either talking way too much, or he was really hungry. As he laid his napkin down on an empty plate, we both looked at my plate, which was still half full. I hate to be rushed so I enjoyed the rest of my meal but talked a little less. 

We had been the only ones in the restaurant for the entire time of our lunch. Then a woman came in, ordered takeout and sat down to wait. 

She was a slightly older than middle-aged. She looked at us both as we were leaving. 

When we got into the car, I mentioned that I smiled at the lady, and she didn’t smile back and looked grumpy. Casey, on the other hand, said he too had smiled at her and, though she hadn’t smiled back, he thought she looked sad. 

As we drove away, we speculated on why she might have been sad, or angry. We hadn’t heard any complaints while she was placing her order.

Have you ever looked at someone and thought, “Oh, they look mad, I’ll stay away from them?” Or have you ever looked at someone and thought they looked sad and wondered what could be wrong?

If someone is angry there may be general cues: a furrowed brow, yelling, mumbling or possibly swearing. If someone is sad, we may see tears, or a flushed face or pursed, trembling lips. 

But what if there is no yelling or crying? Can we correctly judge a person’s emotions or situation by strictly looking at their face? Probably not.

1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV)

For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.

When we have lived with someone for many years, as Casey and I have—this year we crossed 48 years—we can look at them and quickly sum up their mood. Casey has said he can walk into a room and within a couple of seconds know just how I am by my expression. 

He can feel my anger or my happiness without nary a word being spoken. That is because he has had years of experience reading my emotions.

But what if we haven’t had years of experience with a person, how can we tell how they are, if no words are spoken.

Just like our lady in the restaurant, our interaction with her was brief, and one-sided. We smiled, she didn’t. We quickly made our assumptions and had different conclusions. I thought she looked grumpy and Casey thought she looked sad. Either way, our immediate response was to offer a smile.

We need to remember that we too are being seen and assessed by people on a daily basis. Let our faces show God’s love through us.

Proverbs 27:19 ESV

As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.

1 Peter 3:3-4 ESV

3) Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewellery, or the clothing you wear—4) but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

We need to be sensitive to the cues we read in someone’s face.

If it is clear that someone is hurting, as a friend, we can reach out to them. Offer them a listening ear. It is not always advice someone is seeking, just a friendly ear. Or if we ourselves are hurting, there is no better ear to hear us then Our Lord.

1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Psalm 46:1 (NIV)

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Psalms 34:18

The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Let us not forget to also show in our faces, joy. A smile can be infectious and just what someone looking on might need.

 

I don’t know about you, but I cannot stop watching the news.  The things going on around the world are giving me so many feelings.  If I am being honest, those feelings range from disbelief to heartache and often even fear. Recent feelings are not just surrounding the news around the world, but even things close to home.  

Doesn’t it seem like there are a lot of difficulties right here around us too?  

I know we do not have imminent war in our country, thankfully, but there are political controversies, illnesses such as cancer and other diseases, and even financially, things are just so expensive, and people are really struggling.  

In this fallen world that is full of sin, we know that there will be suffering. How should we behave during these times of suffering? 

In preparation this week for the women’s study I am in, we were assigned to read 1 Peter 2: 21-24. This passage says: 

“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” 

It is reassuring to know that Christ knows what it is like to suffer. Not only did he suffer but he suffered for us. Christ demonstrated sacrificial suffering for you and me. Verse 21 goes on to say that in His suffering, He has left us an example that we might follow. Let us look closer at what that example is. 

Firstly, in verse 22 it shows us that no sin or deceit was in His mouth while he suffered. I don’t know about you, but when I am suffering, my words are not often pleasing to those around me. I can be irritated, frustrated and angry, and those close to me often feel the brunt of those things.  

In looking to Jesus’ example, it says that deceit and sin were not found in His mouth. Further, verse 23 says that when He was reviled, He did not revile (criticize in an abusive manner) in return. When He suffered, He did not threaten. Our natural reaction can be to lash back in times of suffering and yet, Jesus showed us that there is a better way.  

What is that way?  

The end of verse 23 says, “He continued entrusting himself to Him who judges justly”. Jesus trusted the Father’s plan when He went to the cross. We too, need to trust the One who is sovereign over all things. The One who would send his son to the cross for us, loves us and has a plan for our lives.  He has made a way where we can be with Him for eternity.  That is the kind of love and power we can trust in! 

The end of the passage in verse 24 says, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.”  

Ultimately, we don’t know what is coming next in our lives. But we do know the One who loves us so much that He sent his son to bear our suffering. We get to delight in the fact that this is not our home. He is preparing a place for us to spend eternity where there will be suffering no more.  

When I was 18 years old, I got a tattoo.

My parents thought I was making a strange choice, but they knew that arguing about it would only strengthen my resolve. My Oma (grandmother), however, made her disapproval clear. Our conversation went something like this:

Oma: “How could you waste money on something like that? You should have given it to a missionary instead.”

Lars: “But Oma, the tattoo has the words, ‘Once for all, never alone,’ around a cross. So it’s like I’m being a missionary every time someone sees it.”

Oma: “People will only see it when you aren’t wearing a shirt. How often will that happen?”

Lars: “Maybe at the beach …”

Oma: “… you should have used the money for something better.”

Looking back, I appreciate my Oma’s foresight. She knew that I would think about this tattoo for a long time after I got it, so she gave me something to think about.

I don’t exactly regret getting a tattoo because the truth of what I had written on my shoulder is eternal. It will always be true that Jesus dealt with my sin “once for all” (see Rom. 6:10; Heb. 7:27, 9:12, 26, 10:1, 10). And it is always true that having the Holy Spirit in me means that I am “never alone” in this world (see Matt. 28:20; John 14:18; Heb. 13:15). Some will think of Leviticus 19:28 (“You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord.”), since it seems to forbid getting a tattoo. But getting my tattoo had nothing to do with pagan rituals or commemorating anything other than God’s faithfulness. So the context of Leviticus 19:28 still doesn’t challenge my conscience regarding my heart’s intentions in getting a tattoo.

My Oma is in heaven now, but I can still remember her saying, “You should have given the money to a missionary.” I now look back over the last 20 years of having the tattoo and wonder if it has led to any gospel conversations. I’m not sure it has, so maybe she was right.

In my life, it seems that it has not been the skin-deep marks, but the heart-deep wounds, that led to gospel conversations. I remember dealing with the after-effects of childhood trauma in my early thirties. When some non-Christian friends asked about my struggles, I was able to share how the once-for-all way that Jesus absolved my sins enables me to forgive what seems unpardonable. And I remember feeling confused and exhausted while grieving the loss of my mom in 2015. As those same friends shared my sadness, I assured them I was never alone because God was (and is!) always with me.

Here’s our challenge, Central: Jesus said we would be his witnesses (Acts 1:8). This means that we are witnesses to every time God has touched us—whether skin-deep or heart-deep. Telling people how God touches our lives grows us into God’s living letters, “written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts” (2 Cor. 3:3).