I don’t know if it is just me but I have a new unbelievable story every time I get on an airplane. If you want an adventure travel with me. Also, be prepared to be a part of a sermon illustration in the process. I am writing these words sitting in the library at Crown College as Sari attends the Board of Trustees meetings. That picture is my view from the library. Crown is one of our denomination’s colleges and located in St. Bonifacious, Minnesota just outside the twin cities. A beautiful campus with rolling hills, fall colors and a really nice golf course (which I have never played…yet) just down the road. While my view working from the 4^th floor library is magnificent, getting here is the topic of conversation and another testimony to God’s sovereignty and our need to just trust him.
 
I love flying, but I have found that as I rise in age, my anxiety level also rises when travelling. Connections, traffic, flight delays and needing to get where I am going for an early morning meeting has added to my diminishing number of gray hairs. I usually try to book direct flights unless it doesn’t make financial sense. This time, it didn’t, I booked our flights, Indy to Minneapolis via Chicago – Midway – 90 minute layover, no problem.
 
Before we even left the house our, flight out of Indy was delayed 45 minutes. Then 55. Then 75. By the time we reached the airport, it was clear we couldn’t make our connection. I told Sari it would be a miracle of miracles. We went straight to the ticket counter, and the agent was able to rebook us on a later flight out of Chicago. A longer layover, yes – but at least we had a way to get there before the early morning meeting.
 
When we landed in Chicago, I got a notification that our original flight to Minneapolis was delayed and would start boarding in 20 minutes. Could we make it? We decided to try. We hurried from one end of Terminal B to the far end of Terminal A. At the gate, a kind ticket agent smiled, rebooked our rebooking, and got us back on the original flight. We were the last ones to board—but miracle of miracles—we made it! My stress melted away, and today I’m enjoying a peaceful day on a beautiful campus.
 
The lesson – Proverbs 16:9, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.” I had the plan, I chose the flights. My carefully arranged schedule seemed to unravel – but God had a another plan. When I thought everything was falling apart (and I needed to fix it), He whispered, “Watch this,” and worked things out in a way I could never have planned myself.
 
How much stress and worry could I let go of if I truly trust God with every detail? The straightest distance between two points is not always God’s plan. Traffic, connections, delays but God says lessons to learn, faith to grow. His plans are good, even when mine seemingly fall apart. So, whether your journey goes exactly as planned or takes an unexpected detour, remember: He directs your steps, and He is always good.
 
Today, take a deep breath and thank God for the gift of this moment. Look around at the beauty of His creation and rest in the assurance that every delay, every detour, and every destination has a divine purpose in his plan.