Craig Clouston

 

Into The Wind

May 25

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

James 1:2-3

Several different models of planes sat on the launch deck of the USS Nimitz awaiting their turn to take off. There were A-10A Thunderbolts (Warthogs), F-14A Tomcats, and F/A-18A Hornets waiting for their turn at the catapult. Each had their mission orders and was ready to complete their sortie; they had trained for moments such as this.

Having received the order to launch operation, ‘No Fly’, Admiral Houser watched as the Helmsman carried out his order to turn the Nimitz into the wind and bring her to thirty-five knots.

Within minutes the floating runway’s wind detector signaled the first part of the maneuver had been completed. A mere one minute later ‘launch speed’ had been achieved and war planes began leaving the ship. In all, some fifty planes took flight on their way to accomplish their dangerous missions as the flight deck hummed with activity. Not one aircraft failed to take to the air for lack of sufficient headwind.

Some six hours later, having successfully completed their mission, a victorious group of fighter pilots returned to the deck of the USS Nimitz.

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All major airports have multiple runways laid out in differing geographical directions so that the wind can be taken advantage of. Even small-craft airports with grass runways have windsocks to show wind direction. Why? Because a headwind makes it easier to launch an airplane into the sky. This same principle can work in our lives as well.

By facing the hardships in life instead of turning from them in frustration and defeat we can use each event to rise above the challenge it presents. Is it easy? No…facing adversity never is. Is it worth the effort? Yes…the view from above gives us better perspective and a brighter outlook. Is this always possible? Yes…but it’s a choice we must make with each ordeal that comes our way.

If you run with the wind you’ll never leave the ground. Want a lift? Turn around, into life's headwinds.

Prayer

“Lord, give me the strength to face my problems head-on. Teach me to use each trial to rise above the natural tendency to whine, quit, or admit defeat. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”