I recently took a trip inter-state to visit my sister. We had a wonderful time and my baby daughter was able to go on her first plane ride. We were told upon check-in that our departing flight would be delayed by a mere 15 minutes. We went through security with plenty of time to spare. We were then able to board the aeroplane, so we took our seats, buckled up and waited for the plane to take off.
We waited and waited some more. The aeroplane was at a standstill. A couple of passengers got up to use the bathroom to only be told to sit back down as the seat belt sign was still on. Babies began to cry, and you could feel the frustration in the atmosphere begin to rise.
Here we were on a jet plane, with full fuel and power, ready to go and be used and yet it was stuck on the ground. Even a tiny movement would have been some progress, but it was well and truly grounded.
And to be honest it was quite frustrating. 15 minutes came and went, followed by another 15 minutes and another and another. It was close to an hour before any movement happened. And when it did I could have cheered and clapped, yet I restrained myself and just let out a sigh of relief. We were finally on our way!
A little movement turned into being able to turn the plane, which in turn was able to get us on the correct runway and then before we knew it we were going faster and faster until we were high in the sky, cruising effortlessly above the clouds.
Stuck at a standstill
Through this situation, I felt God give me a revelation. I felt him say:
“This is how I feel with some of my people. They are filled with my power, equipped with everything they need to succeed and see my signs and wonders and yet nothing happens because they don’t make any kind of movement. They are stuck at a standstill, waiting for me to do something but I’ve already done it through my son Jesus and I’m waiting for my people to start moving! Even if it’s just a tiny movement to begin with that’s okay as I can work with that and build momentum and alter the direction if needed.”
Let’s Get moving
I don’t suggest we recklessly dive into everything and I greatly believe there are periods of waiting in life. But I do feel like God can’t direct us if we don’t make any movement. I’m the first to acknowledge I can become a little frozen and just because I’m not 100 per cent sure about something I then don’t do anything at all.
But I am learning that if we stay still for too long we can become stagnant. And what a shame it would be for a totally perfect, fully equipped and power-filled aircraft to be forever grounded!
Go!
Jesus said the word “Go” quite a lot!
In Luke chapter 9 verse 60 he said, “Go and preach the coming of the kingdom of God.”
In chapter 10 verse 3 Jesus said, “Go now and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among the wolves” and then in verse 37 to “Go and do the same”, (in relation to showing mercy to your neighbour).
And as Jesus was ascending to heaven, he said, “Go and make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew chapter 28 verse 19). *Emphasis mine
I am not suggesting we all abandon our current lives to serve in the mission field, but I do feel God can’t do much in and through us if we stay at a standstill. He can use us right where we are, but we must start moving!
Even a little movement is better than none. If we start moving then we can build momentum and just like my inter-state flight, before long and with God’s empowerment, we will be effortlessly soaring high in the sky.
Jo Fuller lives on the beautiful Sunshine Coast with her husband, son and baby daughter. She loves nature, books, writing, tea and spending time with her family.
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