"ON EAGLE'S WINGS"
“Clear Prop!” I shouted through the small open window from the cockpit of
my Cessna 172. As I closed the window and latched it the wind kicked up a
bit more and rocked the small plane back and forth. With my left hand on
the ignition, feet on the brakes, I lifted my right hand to the throttle, pushed
it in one quarter of an inch and looked at my Flight Instructor who was sitting
in the passenger’s seat. “Are you sure this is a good day to go up?” I asked.
“It’s pretty windy.” “Well, what did the METARS say?” I had checked the
website only fifteen minutes prior, for ceiling and wind information. I
answered, “The clouds are high enough and visibility is good but the winds
are 28 knots and gusting up to 35.” Richard got a big grin on his face. “Nice”
he said. “Today you might get to see what it’s like to fly backwards.” He
looked forward and sat back in his seat. “Take me to the runway. Soft field
take off.” “All righty then” I thought. I turned the key and the 180 horse
power engine came to life. After testing the brakes, I made the first radio
call. “Nampa traffic, skyhawk six four eight six Juliet taxiing from parking
area to 29, Nampa.”
As I made my way to the runway, it was impressed upon me that wind was
something we all have to learn to fly in. If we ever want to get off the ground,
at some point, on some flight, we’ll experience less than perfect conditions.
Those words stuck with me all the way to the runway and even as I took off
into the wind. Constantly adjusting ailerons and rudder to stay on course, I
couldn’t help but think about how true Richard’s statements were to life in
general. As I continued my climb through five hundred feet, fifteen hundred
feet, departing the airport pattern to the south and finally reaching an
altitude of five thousand five hundred over Lake Lowell, the winds died a bit
and the flight became smoother. Then the rough ride disappeared
altogether and it felt like we were simply floating. The lake was a beautiful
azure as the sun reflected off it. The green and brown patches of farm
fields, laid out like a checkerboard, stretched for twenty miles in every
direction, finally ending at the base of the surrounding mountains and
beyond those; infinity. What a view!! What a blessing!!
There’s not a flight that goes by now, when I don’t think of facing the wind in
my own life and soaring high on God’s infinite grace, His mercy and His
incredible love. Part of leading a life of worship is putting our hope
in God almighty and trusting that as we face our every day struggles and
praising Him for the life we have, even in the midst of the fiercest wind, He
will help us to rise above.
“Clear Prop!” I shouted through the small open window from the cockpit of
my Cessna 172. As I closed the window and latched it the wind kicked up a
bit more and rocked the small plane back and forth. With my left hand on
the ignition, feet on the brakes, I lifted my right hand to the throttle, pushed
it in one quarter of an inch and looked at my Flight Instructor who was sitting
in the passenger’s seat. “Are you sure this is a good day to go up?” I asked.
“It’s pretty windy.” “Well, what did the METARS say?” I had checked the
website only fifteen minutes prior, for ceiling and wind information. I
answered, “The clouds are high enough and visibility is good but the winds
are 28 knots and gusting up to 35.” Richard got a big grin on his face. “Nice”
he said. “Today you might get to see what it’s like to fly backwards.” He
looked forward and sat back in his seat. “Take me to the runway. Soft field
take off.” “All righty then” I thought. I turned the key and the 180 horse
power engine came to life. After testing the brakes, I made the first radio
call. “Nampa traffic, skyhawk six four eight six Juliet taxiing from parking
area to 29, Nampa.”
As I made my way to the runway, it was impressed upon me that wind was
something we all have to learn to fly in. If we ever want to get off the ground,
at some point, on some flight, we’ll experience less than perfect conditions.
Those words stuck with me all the way to the runway and even as I took off
into the wind. Constantly adjusting ailerons and rudder to stay on course, I
couldn’t help but think about how true Richard’s statements were to life in
general. As I continued my climb through five hundred feet, fifteen hundred
feet, departing the airport pattern to the south and finally reaching an
altitude of five thousand five hundred over Lake Lowell, the winds died a bit
and the flight became smoother. Then the rough ride disappeared
altogether and it felt like we were simply floating. The lake was a beautiful
azure as the sun reflected off it. The green and brown patches of farm
fields, laid out like a checkerboard, stretched for twenty miles in every
direction, finally ending at the base of the surrounding mountains and
beyond those; infinity. What a view!! What a blessing!!
There’s not a flight that goes by now, when I don’t think of facing the wind in
my own life and soaring high on God’s infinite grace, His mercy and His
incredible love. Part of leading a life of worship is putting our hope
in God almighty and trusting that as we face our every day struggles and
praising Him for the life we have, even in the midst of the fiercest wind, He
will help us to rise above.
| CHAD MARVIN HAS BEEN WORSHIP PASTOR AT THE SUMMIT CHURCH IN BOISE, IDAHO FOR THE PAST SEVEN YEARS. |