A New Perspective

One thing I've noticed is that airplanes are good for something else besides moving people and cargo. I hate airports, but I love planes, and I write this at a cruising altitude of 34,000 feet.

As I gaze out the window, I marvel at the greatness of God. All the trees and green grass. The rivers and bodies of water. The beautiful shades of blue in the sky, the myriads of shapes of the wispy clouds. I love watching them form new shapes below as I coast along above them. It's a good view up here in the barrier between the heavens and the earth.

As I fly over cities I am amazed at the number of homes placed neatly in rows along the grids of the streets below. I wonder about the people in those houses, each with his or her own life and own set of problems. I wonder what brings them joy and what makes them laugh.

And suddenly the world doesn't seem so small. As I fly, I pass over the homes of millions. How does God manage it all? The majesty of God is so apparent to me when I'm flying. The expanse of God's creation is so much more evident from up here than it is on the ground. I am awestruck by all that I see.

Advent also brings out this sense of wonder. As we prepare for Christmas, we come to the manger with awe and reverence for all God is and all God has done for us. The baby who is so small in that manger is the Savior for us all. It is amazing how one life can bring purpose and focus to so many.

God descended to Earth through Christ, and as my plane descends toward Earth, things start to get bigger and come into focus. The cars begin to look less and less like ants snaking along their trails, and the houses appear larger than just dots on the horizon. As the wheels hit the runway, I pray that I can remember the greatness I see from the sky when I'm still on the ground.