I didn’t have time to write here last week…well the time that I did have was mostly spent running outside every time I heard a jet overhead. You see, the town of Brunswick hosted The Great State of Maine Air Show last weekend and these weren’t just any jets…these were the Navy Blue Angels along with Air Force A10. Starting Wednesday night, at various times during the day, these amazing planes would fly over town for their practices…including the church where I work. Now, I have seen the Blue Angels on at least 4 other occasions, and frankly hadn’t planned on going to the actually air show. Hearing and seeing them for 2 days, including standing just off of the runway for their Friday run through, got me excited enough to go sit and bake in the sun on Saturday to watch the whole show.
What I have determined is that I am still a kid at heart when it comes to, well many things actually, but definitely to jets. There is just something that amazes me at the speed, agility and sound of the jets the military uses to defend our freedom. I still don’t understand the precision of being able to fly so close together while performing the maneuvers that they do. What I do realize is the vast amounts of time it has taken them to get to that point. I am not just talking about the time them have spent together, which I know to be a lot, but the time that each of them has put in to have the ability to even be selected to fly with the Angels.
For me it raised a question. Am I willing to do that with my life for something that is worth far more than being able to fly a jet 18 inches from another one without dying? Am I willing to put the time in for the sake of my family, my church, my community? The Lord brought this verse to mind yesterday…
1Corinthians 9:27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection,
lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. ESV
One of the things I struggle with the most is discipline. I am really good at setting a goal, and even making it attainable. The self discipline to carry it out on the other hand… This goes for physical things as well as spiritual. I don’t know how many times have I committed to stop drinking Pepsi (hey, it could happen!), go to the gym every day, etc.
The same goes for the spiritual. I know that there are things I need to be more disciplined to do in my own life to better lead those I have been entrusted to lead. Unfortunately, knowing isn’t enough. Often I think the failure doesn’t start with the lack of discipline, but rather the thinking that I can do it. I think that I am capable of doing seemingly simple things on my own and in my own strength. Even if I could, it is not enough. I must rely on a strength that is far greater but must be yielded to. The strength I have in Christ will not take over unless allowed and frankly I like being in control so much that I don’t allow it often enough.
Maybe you can relate, maybe not. While I haven’t gotten it figured out, I know that it is worth it in the end. Not only is the calling I have worth more than the skill of flying a jet, but if done the way that Jesus intends, it is more beautiful too. People may just be compelled to stop what they are doing and watch too.
