We have all heard about the miracle that happened on the Hudson River. Flight 1549 left La Guardia bound for Charlotte, and two minutes after take off the plane hit a flock of birds resulting in complete engine failure. In the next 2-3 minutes the pilot made some life saving decisions, here are a few things that he did:
He shut down the engines. He set the right air speed so the plane could glide as long as possible. He put the nose down to maintain speed, then lifted it right before the water landing so the plane would land straight and flat on the water. He disconnected the auto pilot, and he overrode the flight management system. He activated the ditch system, which seals vents so the airplane is water proof. He glided the plane and made a sharp left so that the plane would land facing south with the flow of the river. He kept the plane level. He also calmly gave orders to his crew.
I was profoundly touched by the Pilot's words when he said, "It was like I was trained for this my entire life." In some ways this was not a miracle, it was years of experience. The pilot trained in flight simulators. He flew glider planes. He studied other crashes, and taught survival classes to other pilots. Instead of panic, there were calm choices.
When you hit rough patches and it seems like life is out of control, do you have a flight plan? Sometimes you don't have time to consult a manual. You need to go with what you know deep down in your gut. When I was told I have cancer, life took a dramatic dive downward. What stopped me from hitting rock bottom was my knowledge that I have a God who is intimately involved in my situation, and He promises me He will NEVER leave me. I did not need to consult my Bible for a rescue plan, I did not need to panic. When I was laying in an MRI or CT Machine being scanned, I was unable to look up verses and find a rescue plan. I knew in my heart that the rescue had already happened 2,000 years ago. It was a deep peace than came from years of having a relationship with a God that knows my every thought and collects my tears. I have talked about fear. Yes, I had fear. But, I did not let the fear send me into such a tail spin, that I could not pull out. I know in my heart that if I did not know the deep love that God has for me, I would not be alive today. I would have crashed. But because I had a foundation in Christ, I knew God would make a way for me to survive and help others. Like that pilot, I believe that God has prepared me my entire life for this journey I am on.
Don't wait for an emergency and then read the manual! Read the manual now. You need to build your relationship with Christ little by little. You need to hand over small things and trust Him so that when the big things come into your life, you have already established a trusting relationship.
Be strong and courageous. do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
My prayer for you is that you hide God's Word in your heart so that you will be prepared for whatever life throws at you. Everyone has the strength to survive a major crash, if they follow the life saving plan of the Lord.
Love,
Sandy
