A few weeks ago on a return flight home from New Jersey, as the plane was poised for take off; the engines rammed, reverberating with the sound of speed, the pilot slammed on the breaks just before lift off. Suddenly we were all jolted back in our seats and wondering what was going on. The pilot immediately spoke over the loud speaker informing us that one of the engines was not working correctly, so he had to abort the take off. He told us that he was apprehending a new aircraft that would take us safely to our destinations.
Have you ever experienced all of the momentum for take off, clear visibility, the horizon before you, until suddenly life throws a curve ball and aborts your destination? Thankfully I surely have, numerous times in fact. Why do I say “thankfully”?
The blueprint for our lives often seems clear before us, with highlighted route, and outlined strategy, yet we can’t see all the things up a head in the road before us. Sometimes through the wisdom of God we experience an adjustment that halts our take off and we remain temporarily stranded on what may seem to us the ground of impossibility.
About a week after our take off drama that left us briefly delayed in New Jersey before being issued a new aircraft and reengaging in a successful takeoff, I had an interesting dream. The Lord often speaks to me through my dreams and through life experiences. After the delayed take off I sensed that there was a life application lesson that the Lord was going to download and sure enough He did through my dream.
In my dream He spoke to me about a season in my life when I had been delayed from take off. In wisdom He stressed the reason for this being that the vehicle wasn’t equipped with what I needed to make a successful assent and ultimate arrival to my destination. If I had taken off with insufficient equipment on board there would have been significant problems, maybe even casualties, as the vehicle wasn’t sufficient to carry me once air bound.
In the moment delays are frustrating and inconvenient, yet they are often a gift in disguise. If our pilot had not wisely heeded the warning on the instrument panel we could have been in serious trouble. Upon arrival as we deplaned, I gratefully thanked the pilot for getting us to our destination safely. I wasn’t bothered by the delay, rather thankful for his wisdom that averted a premature taken off that could have been catastrophic.
The Lord reassured me in the dream that although I had been delayed, my vehicle was now equipped and takeoff was eminent. When we follow the pilot’s guidance we will arrive safely to our destination. Our pilot diligently looks out for our well being to make sure we are equipped for success. If you are being grounded while being equipped for success, rest in the ultimate wisdom of your pilot.
