Here we go

"Here we go..."
When I was flying for Comair I used to say that before I would ease the plane down through the clouds onto the runway below. It was always very surreal to know that even though I couldn't see the runway....if I just followed the information that was being given to me by the airplanes computer systems I would be fine. There were times where I didn't see the runway until right before we landed, there were times when strong winds or heavy rain would be beating on the airplane and I would trust that when I broke out of the clouds...the runway would be there. I remember one time when we had an older gentleman in the back of the airplane who was having a heart attack and we were told by the doctor on board that if we didn't land the plane this man would die. There was an airport that we could land at nearby but it was in the middle of a blinding rain storm....we decided that we had to at least try and get into the airport so that this man might live. We set the airplane up for the approach, there was lightning, wind, rain and when you looked out of the cockpit windows all you saw was the deepest black. We were cleared for the approach and I eased the plane forward and let out a semi-confident "Here we go"...and we began our descent. We passed through 2,000 ft.....1500 ft.....1000 ft.....500ft.....200ft.....100ft.....and then there it was.....this beautiful blinking light that pointed us directly to the runway. With a gentle bump we set the plane down on the asphalt and within 5 minutes the older man was whisked away to the hospital...where he later recovered.
How many of you have felt like me in that airplane? There is this goal that is out there....you know it's there. The only problem is that there seems to be all of this "junk" sitting between you and where you want to be. This is where the idea of Faith comes into play. Whenever I made my descents in the airplane I had faith that when the airplane broke out of the clouds the runway would be there. I couldn't see it yet I knew that it was there.
Our relationship with God is very similar.....we are all "airplanes" making our way through life and many times we feel this tug to go in a certain direction but when we look at where we are supposed to go all we see is "the darkest black". We then put our eyes to the heavens and ask God, "You want me to do what!! I'm not going that direction!! Are you crazy!!".
Then with a gentle push God descends us through the darkness. It is a scary ride, there is turbulence, heartache, pain, tears...and little light.....but have faith my friends....because just when you think that you can't go any farther...the safety of the runway appears and with a gentle bump you reach your goal and life continues.
Don't be afraid of the unknown...for God goes with you...even the darkest of black....on the other side is a light that shines so bright.

Take a deep breath....Here we go.....