Serenity

There is a serenity that comes from knowing at all levels of your existence that God is in charge. Always. I’m not there yet, not by a long shot. I can sense myself getting closer, but I still have a long way to go.

Two recent news items tapped into this for me.

First, the amazing story of the passenger with no previous flying experience who took the controls of a turboprop after the pilot passed out, pulled the plane out of a dive, and figured out how to call air traffic control for help. There just happened to be an air traffic controller working that day who also had 20 years’ experience as a weekend flight instructor. He was able to coach the passenger to fly and land the plane as the passenger was doing it for the first time ever. Many remarked about the passenger’s calm demeanor. In an interview the next day, the passenger-hero explicitly cited his faith in God – several times – as what enabled him to remain so calm.

Then there was another story of a tragedy – a mass shooter opened fire at a church lunch reception in southern California. 15 people were injured, and one died. There could have been many more. Unarmed luncheon attendees captured, disarmed, and detained the shooter until law enforcement arrived. A sheriff’s spokesperson said, “That group of churchgoers displayed what we believe is exceptional heroism and bravery in intervening to stop the suspect. They undoubtedly prevented additional injuries and fatalities,” 

What do these 2 items have in common? The actions of people of faith who knew that God was in charge.

I hope to have that level of integrated knowledge someday. My head knows that God is of course always in charge. But that’s not what my fight-or-flight reflexes do automatically yet when danger is present.

I pray that God will continue to draw me closer to that fully integrated mind-body-soul knowledge of His complete control.