“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
–Romans 8:37 (NIV)

Have you ever looked out the window of an airplane, watching things decrease in size as you climbed higher and higher into the sky? On the other hand, have you seen buildings grow larger and larger as you land? These buildings are representations of life’s problems, which we all have to deal with. The way in which we view these problems (large or small) depends upon our relationship with an all-loving God.

If we are honest, a lot of us stay at the airport, just watching the planes take off and land. By doing so, we don’t have to leave the ground, where we feel safe. When we choose to stay on the ground, we don’t learn to cast all of our cares on God. Instead, we collapse under the weight of life’s load. We may give God lip service, but by not drawing on His power we are unable to leave life’s airport. We will soon fail if we rely too much on our own resources. We then discover that we can’t successfully climb life’s mountains alone. we’ve all tried to do this, but not relying on God’s power is like starting out on a trip with too little fuel. If we take off at all, it’s only a matter of time before we crash. As a hospital chaplain, I talk to many people who have tried to face life on their own. Then, when everything seems to come crashing down around them, they wonder where God has gone.

In the verse above, the Bible makes it clear that we are more than conquerors through Christ, for he is the only one who can give us the power to stay in the air. The word “through” speaks of connection, denoting the power and strength we can’t get anywhere else. In order to maintain this strength, we must walk with him second by second.

James tells us that if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. Try talking to Him throughout the day, making Him your best friend, and asking for His wisdom at every turn. Confess your sins to Him, for sin separates us from God like the static that comes from a weak radio signal. Finally study, search and meditate upon His word, for it is the owner’s manual which will allow you to journey through life successfully. On your journey, don’t forget to give thanks for the many blessings which you encounter. As you walk with God, your life will take on new meaning, and you will find that you can truly leave life’s airport behind.

Thank you for reading this, and may the Lord give you a wonderful week! We are trying to reach people who are hurting, so if God lays it on your heart, please consider becoming a partner with us. If you would like to make a donation, please visit www.hcmachaplains.org and click on the Donate Now link. You may also send your donation to HCMA (Healthcare Chaplains Ministry Association). Our ID number is 560. The address is 377 E. Chapman Ave., Suite 260, Placentia, CA 92870.

If you have questions, comments or prayer requests for Timothy or Stephanie Burdick, please call 641-715-3900, ext. 874157.