When our sons were much younger, they would enjoy the trips that we
took that led us past the Lester B. Pearson International Airport in
Toronto, Ontario, Canada. One runway in particular runs parallel with
the highway, and if we were fortunate, we would pass by just as an
aircraft was either landing or taking off. For two lucky boys, they
would have a minivan window seat that provided a brief, unobstructed
view of a jumbo jet lumbering off the earth, or one slowly descending
with a small puff of smoke as the wheels grabbed hold of the waiting
pavement. Of course, they took great pleasure in narrating the event to
their brothers, who feigned disinterest.
On one occasion, we
happened to drive by just as a DC-10, "one of the planes daddy built",
touched down in Toronto. Michael was entranced by the whole process, and
so, we entered into a discussion about how big the plane was, how much
it weighed, how many people it carried, and where it may have been
arriving from. During a brief pause, I happened to ask Michael, "Would
you rather land a jet during the day or at night?"
He thought for
a brief moment (that in itself was a monumental moment), before
answering, "At night."
Surprised at his answer and the confidence
in his tone, I asked, "Why at night?"
"Because," he swiftly
replied, "at night, you would have the runway lights to guide you."
It seemed like such a simple answer, but as I pondered his reply, I
began to see his wisdom. During the day, a pilot would have much to
distract him and conceal the "narrow way" that is a runway. Below, there
would be roads, railway lines, rivers, and highways, while above, the
brilliant blue sky and billowing clouds. However, at night, though the
way be dark, there would be a light piercing the shadowy veil and
illuminating the narrow road that led to safety.
Likewise, in our
lives, there is much that we allow to distract us. The world is filled
with shiny things and alternate paths that promise to satisfy and make
us complete. There is many a broad road that leads to destruction, yet,
at first appearance, seems inviting and safe. It can become hard to keep
our eyes fixed on home -- fixed on Jesus. Perhaps that is why God
permits those times of darkness to come upon us. For in those times, His
light can be more clearly seen. In those moments, we learn to walk by
faith, trusting in His Word to light our path.
Psalm 119:105
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (NIV)
Isaiah 42:16 "I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along
unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light
before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I
will do; I will not forsake them." (NIV)
Prayer: Lord, help us
not to be lured by those things around us that seek to undo us. Help us
and guide us by the light of Your Son Who gives light to all people.
Grant that we may have the privilege of being that city on a hill that
lights the way for others. Amen.
Gary Reilly Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Thanks to PresbyCan Daily Devotional
