To GOD Be The Glory

God’s Word is so relevant in our daily lives. This week, God gave me a great adventure that renewed my passion not only for studying His Word but a commitment to creative writing about the work He is doing in my life. This story is to bring Him glory and to show His power over of all situations. God illuminated John 10 and 11 for me and it’s a gift I will treasure forever.

My husband, is a commercial airline pilot. He was assigned a one-night layover to Montego Bay, Jamaica. To set the stage, it’s January, we live in wintry South Dakota so while this quick trip was absolutely appealing when he asked me to go with him it was many miles to travel for one night. I would be flying standby and that means there was no guarantee I would make any of the flights and worse yet there was a good chance I would be left in that country alone while he went flying off to his next destination.

We have three children and while I love to travel, it is work to organize a schedule for grandma to watch the kids and keep them on track with school and activities. Then, there is packing and basically ‘gambling’ on which flights I would have the best chance of getting a seat on.

In John 11, (the extremely concise version) Mary and Martha are waiting for Jesus. Lazarus has kicked-the-bucket and everyone is mourning. Jesus finally arrives, wept and prayed to the Father. Then, dead Lazarus comes back to life when Jesus commands, “Lazarus, Come Out.… Take off the grave clothes”

John 11:43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

So, back to my husband’s invitation to go on this 24-hour island getaway. And what does this have to do with John 11? Daily study has taught me to pray often. I prayed about whether or not to go on this trip. Then, God gave me direction.

First, I bumped into a lady, who attends the same bible study as me, I do not know her particularly well but we shared a nice conversation. She encouraged me to go. Second, I heard a lecture at bible study on Jesus being the ‘ultimate adventure guide in life’. Third, I noticed on social media a lady who grew up one mile from where I grew up was vacationing in Jamaica (this gave me comfort knowing I would know one person in the country if Jeff had to leave me behind!). Then, there was the study I had just finished on John 10 and how Jesus is the Good Shepherd and leads us, won’t ever lose us and he wants us to have life to the full.

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

As a stay-at home mom, especially in the cold winter, I gravitate towards being an isolated homebody. It was almost like Jesus was telling me through my husband’s invitation, “COME OUT, Lazarus-Lisa” and “Take off the grave clothes!” (I’m sure he’s not referring to my sweatpants being grave clothes, this obviously has a much deeper meaning, but for me personally this week it’s meaning was get out of the house and break my bad habit of not accepting HIS wonderful gifts and blessings! He’s handing them to me… to take my husband’s generous invitation and go enjoy life to the full.)

Another thing I realized was I was having fear about going because of my personal weariness.

John 11:9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. 10 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”

This example is in the very literal sense but I feel I have clarity in the morning light and when it starts getting dark outside and my mind gets tired from a long day I get fearful and the mind-games start.

So, I went to bed thinking of all the reasons I couldn’t accept my husband’s invitation. However, I woke up with peace that God was leading me and going to reveal AWE-some life-changing lessons.

Sunday morning, my alarm woke me at 3am and I was in Jamaica by 4:15pm. Typically, when I fly standby, I constantly check passenger loads to see if I even have a chance of making the flight. This time, I did not. I just waited. I said, “God told me to go… I’m letting Him lead this trip.”

The warm sunlight, beautiful blue skies, the green hues of the hillsides and the palm trees were picturesque against the ocean. His Creation… what a gift from God I would have refused had I said no to this trip! My husband and I were given a top-floor ocean-view suite at an all-inclusive resort. We enjoyed a full 24 hours in the sun. The first three couples we met were from South Dakota and I felt that every interaction was God-given and meant for me to have comfort and to relax.

JOHN 10:4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.

We spent the following morning on the beach. Then, Monday afternoon we headed back to the airport. Again, I did not worry. I waited at the gate and I got a seat! Only to have it taken away five minutes later because a lady was refused entry in the country and immigration needed to send her out of the country. I was “bumped and a little bummed” sitting next to several standby passengers who had waited the entire day and still weren’t able to get on a flight to the USA. Again, I waited. Right before they closed the door the gate agent/“gate-keeper” called my name again and told me there was a ‘no-show’ so I ended up getting a seat after all! I made the next two flights and arrived home late that night!

These two adventure-filled travel days were not perfect. There were ‘bumps & turbulence’ that could have detoured my thinking down the rabbit holes of fear. Two flights had delays due to major mechanical (engine/hydraulic) issues, and then there was the irrational behavior during the flight of the passenger who was refused entry in Jamaica.

Even when the outlook was bleak, like, when I arrived in Atlanta and the computer showed “zero seats available” and I was number fifteen on the stand-by list (translation: no hope) again my name was called and I got a seat because there were several ‘no-shows’! There was a flight we had to unload and re-board on a different aircraft along with freezing rain ‘happening’ and a closed tower and heavy fog upon arrival into my hometown. But, I just knew He would get me home for my bible study on Tuesday morning. Even, my husband sent me a text, “Wow, God must really want you to go to Bible Study!” It was amazing how God’s hand was on every detail of the trip and just that short time away renewed my spirit!

What situation in your life is “dead” and needs Jesus to give it new life? Your “flight” hasn’t left without you. Though others may not show-up (and in my case that was a good thing! I completely leaned on Jesus.)… Jesus ALWAYS “shows-up” in His timing to get you onboard to where you need to be and that is to a glorious paradise that HE CREATED and wants for you... NEW LIFE! I decided I was not going to let my unbelief in taking an international non-rev trip for one night stop me from living life to the full. Jesus told me to “STAND BY” HIM and take away the stone (John 11:39 “Take away the stone,” he said.) of fear & doubt and I let Him lead the way.