The view from up here is breathtaking. I’m surrounded by a brilliant blue landscape as I soar above a blanket of cottony white clouds floating past my airplane window. I suppose my feet are closer to Your throne room right now than when my feet are on the ground, Jesus. And closer to You is precisely where I always want to find myself. 

            Father, as I look out my window at this beautiful view of Your creation I am reflecting on a scripture that has been tutoring me lately.

            But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

            In my day to day life I see uprisings on all sides. I see more sickness and disease on a rampage. The weather patterns more unpredictable than ever. Right now Hurricane Dorian is gearing up to slam Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas with untamable fury. These storm fronts might sport a new name, but it seems like there’s always another one in the line up just waiting to strike. And when natural disasters aren’t attacking our land, our government is waging war against itself. The government isn’t alone. People across the globe are drawing angry battle lines. They’re passionate about their beliefs, beliefs that are blinding them to a higher truth. Jesus, Your words are coming to pass.  

Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. Matthew 24:12

            I could easily become discouraged by all that I see. (And sometimes I do). But the clouds just outside my window are speaking to me. They speak of truth that rises high above the swirling circumstances wreaking havoc on the globe just under my feet. They are calling me to mount up. They are telling me that if I will keep my gaze lifted high to my God, the Creator of all that I see, I will find new strength, strength that is humanly impossible. The clouds are inviting me to step through my window. They tell me to come feel the air between my toes, come walk upon the flowing currents that carry me in complete safety. They tell me to come bask in the sun that smiles broad while she showers her golden rays upon everything in sight. Oh God, Your creation is so beautiful and the message You are laying upon my heart right now – even more beautiful! I hear what Your heart is saying to mine in this place.

            Fret not, child of Mine. All of these things are the beginning of birth pangs. But take heart. I have overcome the world. In Me you will find all the strength you need to face all that you encounter. Abide in Me always and I will abide in You. I will carry you till the day I bring You home to live with Me forever. Mount up, child. Keep your eyes squarely fixed upon Me and when life’s storms rage, you will find safety within the shelter of My wings. Cling to me always and My brilliance will fill your heart and mind and soul bringing glory to My great name.

            Abba, I need You! From this day forward I will seek to keep my eyes fixed upon You and You alone. When life’s storms rage I will hold onto the anchor of Your word. When I walk through my days, I will hold Your nail-scarred hand. I will whisper Your name and savor Your sweet presence, sweet Spirit. Be my everything, Jesus, for that is what You are. Become the air that I breathe, the blood that courses through my veins, the living water that springs from my spirit. Always and always,

Amen

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.   John 15:4-6                                                                          

“I have told you all of this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33                                                                                              

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1

Those who abide in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him….If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you. Psalm 91:1, 29, 10