POST PANDEMIC: What Comes Next?Sample

POST-PANDEMIC FAITH

My wife, my children, and I were on our way to Jamaica. That flight on American Airlines 331 would be unforgettable. We were excited to see and hug our relatives. We began the descent into the city of Kingston in the middle of strong winds and dense clouds that covered the whole island. At touchdown, some of the passengers began to applaud the skill of the captain, and I remember thinking in that moment: “We’ll hold the applause; the plane hasn’t stopped yet.”

Those seconds seemed interminable, the plane still rolling down the wet runway, rocking from side to side, the turbines in reverse seemed to be shouting with the effort, and the brakes, which had stopped the wheels from turning, were insufficient to halt the plane and it continued to slide on the wet pavement. The applause was definitely premature.

The plane went off the end of the runway, breaking through a wire fence and falling onto the rocks on the beach, splitting into three pieces. There it stopped, in absolute darkness, the rain and the wind entering the broken plane, and my only thought was for my children and my wife. Nobody died that day; I hugged them in relief. We ended up a little battered and extremely shocked, but fine, by the grace of God. But let me tell you that was one of the most difficult experiences of my life.

In many ways life is like an emergency landing. It happens every day. Everything seems to be going well, when suddenly we are confronted by a tragedy.

Do you feel as though you are passing though a dark moment in your life, that you are alone, fighting in your own strength, facing a hopeless future? Perhaps you are not going through one of those tragedies that shatter you in seconds; perhaps your whole life in one big tragedy. Perhaps your relationships are a disaster and the faces of the people you have hurt pursue you.

The world is full of people who wear a mask and go through life pretending to be fine when in reality they are suffering inside. Then they ask themselves: Is there hope for me? Do I have a future?

Maybe you are on “that plane” that is rushing toward catastrophe, out of control. I want to tell you: Yes, there is hope. There is a great future for you. And even more, there is rest for your soul. In the book of Jeremiah, chapter 6 the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls” (Jeremiah 6:16). That is the promise of God.

When we put our faith in Jesus we know that He is with us, and that our future is secure in Him. We can have worth and hope even in the most complicated moments of life.

You can be sure of what it says in Joshua 1:9: “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

I want to encourage you that with faith, you can rely on God in each situation. Talk with Him as you would with a friend, because that is what He is—our best friend. When you do that, you will not only experience the peace, comfort and power of God, but you will have a story that people need to hear to be able to face life with hope.

If you are ready to take this step of faith and give your life into the hands of God, I would like to guide you in a few simple steps. Visit the page, clicking on the link below, if you say, “Yes, Andrew. I believe in God and today I have made the profound decision to follow Him”: https://www.hopewithgod.com/ 

Andrew Palau