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“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7  (NIV)

It had been years since I traveled by plane, but last weekend, I flew nine hundred miles to help celebrate my younger sister’s seventieth birthday with other family members. We had a great time. My return trip was late in the evening two days later and involved a layover between flights.

As we hurtled through the air at 28,000 feet, I enjoyed solitude in the darkened cabin. The seats beside me were unoccupied. It was an opportunity to read scripture on my iPhone and spend some time in prayer. God’s Spirit seemed especially near as the plane arrived without incident at the layover city. That was when I discovered the next leg of the flight was overbooked, and I had been placed on standby, even though I had a confirmed reservation.

I am a woman of long experience. Others have described me as elderly, but I’m still having trouble seeing myself that way. Anyway, there I was, an older woman, traveling alone in a strange city at 10:30 at night. Already weary, I faced the prospect of spending countless hours in the airport, guarding my bags and waiting for the next flight home. I didn’t know if the airline would help me or when the next flight out would be, but I knew Who was in charge. I felt peace as I asked my heavenly Father to take over my situation.

By contrast, there was a young woman at the adjoining gate, trying to get to another city. For some reason, she, too, had been denied entrance to her plane. She was making quite a scene, screaming curses at the gate agent, describing the airline in unprintable terms, throwing her arms around and stomping. I should have been praying for her, but to confess the truth, I only stared in amazement and marveled at the difference the Holy Spirit makes in the life of the believer. I had perfect peace; she had overwhelming distress.

I hope she made it home somehow. I did. Another passenger failed to show up, so I was allowed on the plane at the last minute.

“Dear Lord, thank you for your loving care and for your promise never to leave us or forsake us. And thank you for the peace that passes understanding, that allows us to get through difficult circumstances calmly holding Your hand.”

For His Glory

Cherie Harbridge Williams (www.cherieharbridgewilliams.com)
TRBC Women’s Life