Jesus Take the Wheel
Well, that was fun. Amidst hurricane Sandy’s cancellation of over 7,000 flights out of the US, ours remained, as we’re set to flight over the North Pole into Dubai. The flight (all 15.5 hours) was uneventful and full of laughter and anticipation for what’s about to come. The long long layover in Dubai proved to be a time of rest for Glenn (on the floor behind a row of chairs) and a last opportunity for Starbucks.
When we arrived in Chennai, we happily collected our luggage and proceeded to the JetAirways gate, and I watched with great pleasure as the rest of the LoveManifest team experienced walking out the doors and into India for the first time.
Then we were met by the threats of Cyclone Nilam. Not sure what “Nilam” means, but it must be along the lines of “poor attempt to stop an unstoppable God” because flight after flight was cancelled, but ours remained all systems go, without regard for what appeared to be the hesitancy of the flight crew.
As we sat in the airport, the winds bent the trees outside the window as the rain was blown sideways. We went upstairs for really no reason other than to escape the cockroach infestation downstairs, and Mimi prayed, and I hear her say “Lord, shut up the wind and the rain”.
When we walked back downstairs to board, just ten minutes later, it was completely calm. No wind. No rain.
The flight on this prop plane was one of the most intense flights I’ve ever been on, although any turbulence is very unsettling to me, but the look on the face of the flight attendant was not very reassuring. There was a man next to Caitlin who would vacillate between crying out and praying. She would calm him saying “it’s going to be okay. It’s only 10 more minutes”.
Glenn slept quietly in his seat. An empty seat beside him.
Or was it?
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” -Mark 4:35-41 NIV
I am so glad you got there safely we have been praying for you guys here at home and will continue to until we see you again. Now go do Gods work.
Wow, can He be any more revealing! Love this blog, “Even the wind and the waves obey him!” We know who this is… praising Him in gratitude and thanksgiving. xoxo
Wonderful story! Thanks for sharing. I really like the part about the team members walking out the doors into India for the first time. I could feel the excitement. Have a great trip. 🙂
Oh my, I’m in tears right now!! Could barely read your post. The storm, Mimi’s prayer, the empty seat . . . your safe arrival(s). He has BIG plans for you all, I just know it. Praise and thanksgiving for the One who says, “Peace, be still” and so it is. Father, you have called and prepared each one of these, your children, for this time and place, uniquely gifted for Your Glory. Jesus – Let Your Light SHINE through them for all of India to see.
So good to hear details!!! May you sense his guidance everyday. Is there still a concern about weather/cyclone? Eager to hear how your day is going. Can’t wait to hear. Will continue praying non stop. Love each of you! Shine!!!!!
Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.(Acts 12:5)
Prayer is the link that connects us with God. It is the bridge that spans every gulf and carries us safely over every chasm of danger or need.
Think of the significance of this story of the first-century church: Everything seemed to be coming against it, for Peter was in prison, the Jews appeared triumphant, Herod still reigned supreme, and the arena of martyrdom was eagerly awaiting the next morning so it could drink the apostle’s blood. “But the church was earnestly praying to God for him.” So what was the outcome? The prison was miraculously opened, the apostle freed, the Jews bewildered, and as a display of God’s punishment, wicked King Herod”was eaten by worms and died.”And rolling on to even greater victory,”the word of God continued to increase and spread” (vv. 23–24).
Do we truly know the power of our supernatural weapon of prayer? Do we dare to use it with the authority of a faith that not only asks but also commands? God baptizes us with holy boldness and divine confidence, for He is looking not for great people but for people who will dare to prove the greatness of their God! “But the church was earnestly praying.” A. B. Simpson
In your prayers, above everything else, beware of limiting God, not only through unbelief but also by thinking you know exactly what He can do. Learn to expect the unexpected, beyond all that you ask or think.
So each time you intercede through prayer, first be quiet and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, how He delights in Christ His Son, and of your place in Him—then expect great things. Andrew Murray
Our prayers are God’s opportunities.
Are you experiencing sorrow? Prayer can make your time of affliction one of strength and sweetness. Are you experiencing happiness? Prayer can add a heavenly fragrance to your time of joy. Are you in grave danger from some outward or inward enemy? Prayer can place an angel by your side whose very touch could shatter a millstone into smaller grains of dust than the flour it grinds, and whose glance could destroy an entire army.
What will prayer do for you? My answer is this: Everything that God can do for you.”Ask for whatever you want me to give you” (2 Chron 1:7). Frederick William Farrar
Wrestling prayer can wonders do,
Bring relief in dire straits;
Prayer can force a passage through
Iron bars and heavy gates.
We pray on for y’all!!!