Deviate
- to turn aside, as from a route, way, course, etc.
- to depart or swerve, as from a procedure, course of action, or acceptable norm.
- to digress, as from a line of thought or reasoning.
Aviation
- the design, development, production, operation and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft.
Flight
- a scheduled trip by way of airplane
- a soaring above or transcending ordinary bounds
Just the other day, I had to go to Pittsburgh International Airport to get my grandmother after her weeklong trip to Florida had concluded. As I was driving on the turnpike, I couldn't help but think about a previous experience I had on that very road. I can recall being about 14 or 15 years old when one of my cousins had to drive me to that very airport. The scenario was basically my grandparents had to drive down to Florida for a revival my grandfather was preaching for. I had to stay behind due to a mandated school activity that I just could not afford to miss. I had to get to Florida and I was not old enough to drive yet, so that meant I had to catch a flight down there.
As my cousin and I drove to the airport, she could see that I was visibly shaking nonstop. I had been on a plane several times, but never had I flown by myself. I had to go from Pittsburgh to Charlotte, NC. Then from Charlotte to Ft. Lauderdale, FL. What happens if I miss the connecting flight? What about if I get on the airplane and I have extreme ear aches like previous times and Grandma's not there to soothe the pain? I'm still a kid so it's not too far-fetched to wonder what if someone tries to kidnap me or even worse... As all of these thoughts (and many more) are running through my head, my cousin grabbed my hand and told me this:
"If you don't ever remember anything else I tell you, remember this. Anytime you are very nervous, just keep reciting the 23rd Psalm to yourself over and over and over, and watch the nervousness leave."
The more I began to say these beloved words, I can recall a peace coming over me that I cannot even begin to explain. All the tension and anxiety left my body, and I hugged my cousin goodbye, I ended up walking into the airport with my chest out a little and had amazing flights to my destination.
Many times, whenever we want to soar and achieve things on a high level, there are things that are keeping us low. The main culprit of our lack of elevation tend to be the words "What if...?"I know in my own personal life, there are so many dreams and goals I have, yet what is it that's truly keeping me from reaching them? Yes, there are circumstances beyond my control that have come up. Are there people who have sabotaged certain areas of my life in order to hold me back? No doubt that's been the case in several instances. Yet, it has been my fault for giving people and circumstances the authority to dictate the direction of my life.
As for whoever is reading this. It's time out for us blaming everyone else for the position we are in, when in fact we possess the power to bring ourselves out of it. Here's a story of an observation I had with a good friend of mine and her dog.
Whenever it was time for the dog to go to sleep or what have you, she would put him in his cage and leave the door unlocked. He would bark and beg to be set free but pretty much all he had to do was push the door just a little bit and it would be open, resulting in his freedom.
The same holds true for us. You've been bound for so long but this is the season where all you have to do is push forward just a little bit further, which will result in you being free. Things like anxiety, depression, debt, family/relationship issues, and other restraining vices are nothing but a cage we tend to place ourselves in. We are waiting for someone to come with the key (magic solution) to set us free, when in fact the entire time, we have possessed the power within ourselves.
All in all, whenever we do tend to stray away, we have a good Shepherd who doesn't mind cracking us over the head with the rod and staff to get us back where we need to be. We get ourselves into immediate danger only when we decide to go our own course versus just following His. Today is the day to be free from those things that are continually keeping you from flight. You may have to drop some unnecessary weight (friends, some family, addictions, etc.) in order to get your plane off of the ground.
I am on the runway right now and I don't intend on slowing down for anyone. As long as the good Lord Himself is the pilot, I won't have anything to worry about. One thing about Him is He'll never lock you out of the cockpit. Anytime you want to take the reins, He'll oblige but I for one am done trying to do things on my own anymore. I look forward to the journey that's ahead and reaching newer and higher heights day after day. Stay tuned, the best is yet to come for all of us.
