May 19, 2024
I am not a fan of flying at all! I have to really pray and talk myself into getting on an airplane. We just got back from a trip out of the country. Our flight was close to 10 hours long. Needless to say, the flight out of the country was not smooth at all.
There was turbulence and I do not enjoy that one little bit. Finally, we arrived. We had the best time and enjoyed every minute. When we were sitting in the airport waiting to board the plane to come back the fear and anxiety started to kick in.
As I was sitting there praying, the Lord reminded me of something that happened several years ago. We had purchased tickets to take our three youngest grandchildren to see a very popular ice show. At that time Lottie was four, Camden was five, and Lisa was seven. All three of them counted down the days anticipating the “show.”
I don’t know if you have ever been to this particular show but we had previously taken our older grandchildren so we knew there were light and sound effects such as fireworks, loud noises, smoke, etc. I was a little concerned about Liza because I knew she dealt with sensory issues. I knew that she needed to be “warned” before these things happened. I asked as we went into the show at what point they would be happening and was told it would only be in the second half of the show after intermission. They said there was a fire-breathing dragon that was particularly loud and had some light effects with it. I relayed this information to Liza and told her I would hold her hand and be right beside her when it happened.
However, the lady who gave me this information was wrong, and I mean very wrong. There was a fire-breathing dragon in the second half (which by the way was Camden’s favorite part) but there were also flashes of light, fireworks, loud pops, and other noises and lights throughout the show. I sat by Liza and every time something happened I was a little concerned that it might be the “end of the show” for her. Surprisingly she did so well.
On the way home I remember telling her how proud I was of her for handling all those lights and noises and not getting upset or letting it bother her. God spoke to me through Liza’s response. She said, “Mimzy, I was scared but I was too satisfied to get upset." The show was so satisfying to Liza that she overlooked the things that were happening around her that could have upset and frightened her. Wow!
As I sat there in the airport God spoke to my heart, asking, “Jill, what satisfies you enough to overlook all the distractions and fear this life throws your way? Is it Me?" I was instantly convicted by remembering Liza’s words. I know Liza very well, and because of that I was aware of how hard she had to focus on the good in order to not allow the noises, fears, and sounds of that show to distract her.
Isn’t that what we all need to do as well? This life throws us so many unexpected distractions, whether it includes flashing lights, loud noises, problems, heartache or just turbulence on an airplane. There are always situations that happen without any warning. Is our satisfaction in just knowing God is with us enough to handle them? Is that what we focus on?
I know there are times when I have to say I don’t. I allow the distractions to get the best of me, which in turn makes me dissatisfied and scared of my situation. In Isaiah 58:11 it says, “The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” To me that says that when I am in need, when I am uncomfortable, and when I am weary God will always be there. He is the satisfaction to everything. Most of my problems and issues fall into one of those categories – in need, uncomfortable, or weary - and in all of these circumstances I just need to focus on the fact that my God will satisfy, always.
Another thing I remember from Liza was that she made a choice and honestly, I’m sure for Liza it was a hard choice. She could have chosen to let those lights and noises upset her but I think she knew if she got upset she would end up missing the show. She chose to be satisfied.
Don’t you feel like we have a choice as well? Satisfied or dissatisfied? Contented or discontented? Secure or fearful? It’s a choice. The temptation to be discontent is everywhere in this life. True contentment, peace, and satisfaction can only come from knowing God and delighting in Him. We must make the choice, regardless of what is going on in our life, to work through the distractions celebrating the fact that we have a Savior. Our satisfaction with the life we are living is nothing compared to the price that was paid for us to have this life.
I was so thankful God allowed me to remember this time with Liza. As I sat in the airport I thought about all the memories Wayne and I made on our trip. I thought about how blessed I was to be able to take this trip and see so many beautiful things. If I had not boarded the plane in the first place none of this would have ever have happened.
I pray that we will all strive to live each day too satisfied to be upset, fearful, or overwhelmed. I still have a precious picture of Liza at that show where you can see the satisfaction on her face. Actually, you can see the joy on her face. That picture shows me that true satisfaction and contentment with God lead to joy. Who is satisfying you today?
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Jill Johnson, a staff member at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, finds spiritual applications in her everyday experiences as a wife, mother, grandmother and Georgian. She is available to speak to your church's women's gatherings. Reach her at jjohnson@gabaptist.org.
