When I feel as if God is distant or unspoken, the word “remembrance,” comes to mind. Remember the stories I’ve told you. Remember my works. Remember my actions.
Being in a time such as this, I’m reminded of a story God told me on the way to Atlanta before departure on the World Race. It’s something I’ve been feeling the need to share:
I just stated the dreaded 11-month goodbye to my parents. It was an early, cool morning and particularly stressful. The sun peaked into my airplane window and I slumped into my economy class seat, letting out a large sigh. I imagined falling asleep right away, but as I leaned against the window my eyes refused to shut.
I sit staring in a sleepy daze and see a little gnat bouncing on the window, over and over, trying to escape. I think of the logistics of the plane window, designed for intense air pressure variations, speed and durability. Between imaginary mathematical equations on how much force it would take for the gnat to be forced through the window, for a reason I cannot explain, I did not want to kill the gnat as I naturally would have. I watched it bouncing over and over and over again; desperate and anxious. A feeling compassion overwhelmed me. This was not just a gnat and an airplane window.
Yes, I fully realize how weird this is sounding, but hang in here with me; I quickly realized this is how God looks at us. How often are we the little gnat bouncing and constantly hitting the window? We think we know where we are going, and we can “see” it clearly, but our way is simply impossible.
Even if we both agree being outside is better for the gnat, the gnat will not get through the window.
Often we think we know where we are going, but really we are stuck. Our opinions on how to get to our destination are illusionary. God can even want the same goals and dreams for us, but the route to the destination is disparate. The seemingly longer and darker route above the seat, past the first class wall and down the aisle to the mini airplane door is complex but elementary in comparison to the window. The route you cannot see takes trust for the destination but is effortless when guided.
Where in your life are you hitting the window? Where do you need to hand over your trust and direction to God? God is sitting, waiting for you with overwhelming compassion. He wants to direct your ways.
