Bill Couchenour | Monday, August 08, 2011
I was on a flight recently working on my computer and quietly complaining to myself about how slow the internet connection was. Then it dawned on me:
I’m sitting in a relatively comfortable seat (though I could use a little more leg room) flying at 600 mph and at nearly six miles above the earth.
AND I HAVE INTERNET ACCESS!
Funny how we take the opportunities in life for granted.
My preference when flying is always an aisle seat. Easy in, easy out – just like riding a bus. If necessary, I’ll take a window seat (anything to avoid the dreaded middle seat). But, when I do need to take a window seat, I am always amazed. At some point, I stop working long enough to look out the window to realize I am in the clouds. When you come through the clouds on the descent, you can see for miles. I try to imagine how many people, how many dogs, even how many insects are in the area of the earth that I can see at the moment. I think about the circumstances and the stories that would be represented by the thousands of people in this area of the earth. Then I realize that, as big as that area of the earth is, it’s a relatively small area on a relatively small planet in one of countless galaxies in the universe. And I again, get a glimpse at how much bigger God is than I had allowed Him to become in my everyday life.
Funny how we take the bigness of God for granted.
I can still remember an evening years ago when an architect friend of mine and I were driving back from a meeting in Florida. The sunset was spectacular (as many in Florida are). I remember the evening not just because of the sunset, but also because of our conversation. We were realizing that as spectacular as the sunset was, it was free. If it could be captured and ransomed, it would be priceless. Neither of us could afford it, yet God gives it to us for free. That led us to realize that the priceless blessings in life are, in fact, free. A brilliant blue and orange sunset. The aroma of fresh cinnamon bread. The taste of our favorite food. An embrace by a loved one. A simple, heartfelt “I love you.” The grace of an awesome God.
Funny how we take the priceless blessings of life for granted.
Pause, for a moment. Is there anything you’re taking for granted today?
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Bill Couchenour | Monday, August 01, 2011
My first flight was cancelled. We actually boarded, pulled away from the gate then sat on the tarmac until we heard the pilot say over the intercom, “Sorry folks, we’re having trouble with the flaps. They may tell you the flight is delayed but this plane isn’t going anywhere today.” We limped back and deplaned. They rerouted me through Philly on a fairly uneventful flight. But the flight from Philly to home (last one of the night) was delayed. We eventually boarded then waited for 9 people that were coming over from a Frankfurt flight. The pilot said it would just be a few minutes because the Frankfurt flight was already in. Nearly an hour later the Frankfurt 9 joined us and we were finally on our way. We pulled away from the gate and stopped – again.
The message from the pilot was genuinely heartbroken: “Folks, I have bad news. We have a mechanical problem and we have to go back to the gate.” The plane felt like it decompressed under a collective groan. We didn’t move for a couple minutes when the pilot came back on to announce, “Never mind, we’re good to go.” I strained to discern whether or not he was satisfied that the mechanical problem was truly resolved or if it was some sort of bravado. I found myself wondering about the personality profile of the pilot.
Often times in life we’re faced with whether or not this is a time to press on through the pain or pause and heal.
I have been faced with that question many times throughout my years in sports. Is it an injury or just soreness? My high school football coach taught me to assume it was just a temporary pain. In his mind, there wasn’t anything a little athletic tape couldn’t fix (I guess that’s why I stayed in another play after breaking my wrist in two places). There have been times when a good run actually healed the pain in my back. But there have been times when I pushed it too far and my wife had to gingerly help me into the back seat so she could drive me to the emergency room.
If I run with a knee injury I can do some damage to my body. But that’s nothing compared to the damage that can be done running through life with an injury to my soul. How about you? Are you going through a difficult time right now? Is it one of those times where you just have to grit your teeth and gut it out with God’s help? Or have you had a soul injury? If so, now’s the time to heal. I encourage you to listen in prayer, seek Godly counsel and get the injury healed. Jesus, the great physician for our bodies and our souls, is waiting for you now.
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