IT’S TIME to FLY a 7-Day Devotion by Joy A. WilliamsSample

INTRODUCTION

I don’t typically publicize my flight information. The only people interested in my seat assignment, gate, or schedule are the family or friends meeting me. But for the next seven days, I’m sharing my flight information with you.

It’s not the kind that requires me to buy a ticket and take a seat. I dream of floating across rooms, soaring over cityscapes and floating upwards toward the clouds. But in my waking hours, I’m afraid of heights.

A peep over a scenic overlook or a drive through a mountain range turns my sleeping aspirations into anxiety. Maybe high altitude is not your phobia. Our fears can vary from the difficulty we didn’t expect to a sense of vulnerability we can’t control.

But life is far more than what we dream, what we fear, or how we fail. It’s also the opportunity to experience God in the midst of life’s ups and downs. His grace gives us space to be who we are and to become who He intends us to be.

Much of our growth happens as we learn to “fear not.” It’s the challenge when what we hope to avoid becomes hard to ignore. Eventually, I saw how my desire to control outcomes was a constant reason for my anxiety. It made me a hesitant learner. Yet the more I realize God is faithful, the more I learn to “lean hard” on His grace and truth. However, transformation only happens as we “yield completely” to His will. This process is far from easy. Hesitant hearts may wrestle with what ifs and what was.

But transformation is possible for any soul secured by faith in Christ. He gives us all the strength we need when it’s time to fear not, lean hard, and yield completely!

Choosing the Flight Plan

You may not dream of flying, but at some point, we all hope to soar toward a goal or escape life’s difficulties. The first humans were no different. When Adam and Eve sinned in The Garden, they covered themselves with fig leaves. As they tried to hide from God, the first fearful flight plan was formed (Genesis 3:6-8).

Now the world is full of “fig leaves.” They represent anything we use to cover how we’ve failed or what (or who) failed us. Then as life leaves us with pain or panic, finding a hiding place makes an appeal. Wherever we choose to hunker down, the hiding place needs to be a healing place (Psalm 32:7-8). I’ve had my share of counterfeit comforts. They offer a sense of escape or control, while robbing us of the dignity and restoration God intends.

But through faith in Christ, our sins are covered, and our brokenness can be healed. In seeking His refuge through the years, I’ve often landed in this promise: “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31 NLT).

The eagle imagery wasn’t lost on me. I kept hearing “It’s time to FLY!” Eventually, the promise in this verse became an invitation from God’s heart to mine. But the invitation is for any soul who is willing to trust Him. It’s how we find new strength in life’s struggles. Trusting God frees us of the pressure of trying to reach the height of unrealistic expectations. Instead, as we reach toward a goal or seek to progress through what’s painful, trusting Him is the empowering flight plan.

Let’s get started!

FLY: When you think of the biggest challenge you face, what would you like to flee from? Does that flight take you closer to God or further away from Him?

PRAY: Dear God, Thank You for being my Refuge. Reveal any fig leaves I wear in pride, fear, or shame. Reveal any unholy refuge I seek. Whenever I struggle to walk by faith, Lord, help me to learn how to FLY! In Jesus’ name, amen.

READ: Genesis 3:6-8, Psalm 32:7-8, Isaiah 40:31