I am sitting here in coach, seat 9B, because I didn’t get upgraded to first class this morning on my monthly flight to Dallas. It’s kind of quiet, but I am sure that is because I have my Bose headphones on and rather than write on my iPad, I packed my computer in my carry-on bag so I could actually have a keypad to work with during the flight. I just had a sneaking suspicion that I would feel like writing. Although it is not usually the case, I felt invigorated and looking out the window, it is a beautiful day to fly.
Normally, as you know, I write these posts in the evening, and when I am out of town, invariably, I sit up in some hotel room writing late into the night. But today, it’s different. I am relaxed and feel that I have totally unrestricted access to God. But I only thought of that after the flight attendants announced that this flight was equipped with wifi and I could connect with Gogo, the inflight internet service available on a number of airlines these days.
Normally, on the way down here, I listen to Dallas Theological Seminary podcasts or perhaps a tune or two, but neither of those ideas appealed to me today, so off to the internet I went. For $9.95, plus tax, I can be connected to the rest of the world through my computer. And while there may be a different way to do it, as far as I know, I have to be connected to WordPress on the internet to write these posts on my laptop. And I just didn’t want to wait until this evening to start writing. I just want to chill out and spend a little time with the Father later on.
Imagine my surprise when I charged the fee and logged on to Gogo. As I fly, I get a constant read-out of where I am, how high I am flying, the temperature at my destination and any travel alerts that may come my way. So here it is – I am just over halfway to Dallas from Indianpolis, flying at an altitude of 30,603 feet, at a speed of 494 miles per hour – on arrival in Dallas, the expected temperature will be 73 degrees, clear and sunny. Isn’t that just remarkable?
Sure, I know that the world is a technological wonderland. We have come a long way and information is always at our fingertips – well, in my case, for $9.95 plus tax. Isn’t that the way it always is? We can get pretty much anything that we are willing to pay for. Because somewhere, somehow, somebody much smarter than I am has figured out how to transfer information for a price. And people flock to buy these services because it is a way for us to get our work done while we are in the air. Back in the old days, I used to read a book – now I don’t even bring a bound volume with me – if I read at all, it is on my iPad, or if Janet is with me, she uses her Kindle Fire.
But there is one thing that doesn’t need any upgrade to work just as well as it has always worked. And that thing is prayer – communicating with God and His Son, Jesus Christ. While it may be more convenient to read the Bible on your electronic device, the quickest connection to anything on the face of the planet is the direct route you have to God. No internet, phone line, computer – nothing… just you and God. In fact, you don’t have to type anything, which I am reminded of as I type this post – nor do you even have to speak.
Because God knows what is on your heart and on your lips. Period. And there will never be a better way to communicate with Him this side of heaven than to just take a moment and share your heart with Him. That’s right – you can do it right now. From your heart to God’s ear – faster than the speed of light. Not only will God hear you, many times, if you listen with your heart, you will receive an answer.
Today’s verse is from the Old Testament. from Micah 7:7, we are told by the prophet, “But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.” My encouragement is that God is waiting to hear from you right now. And He has a special message to deliver to you, His beloved. My prayer is that you will spend more time in communion with God – following His will for your life, and that you will be full of divine joy and peace in the process. And, oh, by the way, you don’t have to be at 30,603 feet, flying at 494 miles an hour to do it. Did I mention it’s also free – you won’t need your credit card to make the connection. Just ask – He’ll be there. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…