Back in November, I had an amazing opportunity to go flying with an awesome man named Baron Cooley who attends NewSpring. He told me that I could bring a friend, so David Hall tagged along for the ride. I will be honest and say that I was extremely excited about this opportunity. I have been flying before, but only on a commercial flight, nothing close to what I was going to experience.
Before we boarded the plane, we went through all the pre-flight checks, well…actually, I just watched and was wondering what in the world was going on! I was glad that all the checks were made and everything seemed to be great! We boarded the plane and taxied to the runway. We hit the gas and off we went. We flew around all around Anderson. Some of the places that we saw from overhead were: Hartwell Lake, Portman Marina, I-85, David’s Parent’s Home, Brookstone Meadows Golf Course, NewSpring Church, McCants Middle School, My House, Anderson University, Anderson Mall, Downtown Anderson, and many other places.
The thing that really made me think the perspective that I had. For the first time ever, I was ABOVE my normal environment. I am used to moving around IN my environment. It did not think about being above my environment, looking down as people were moving around in the hustle and bustle. It really made a mark on me as we flew past Interstate 85. The cars and trucks looked to be moving really slow. So many times, we move around so fast that we do not take in all that is going around us. I know that I do not appreciate where God has placed me. I know that I think that I have to move faster and faster. I know that I think that there is no time to slow down.
While I was in the air, just enjoying myself and really taking in the fact that I was actually able to be flying, I was struck with a verse. Psalm 46:10, ” Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations,I will be exalted in the earth!” I need to take some time, instead of running around all the time, to just be still…to appreciate where God has placed me, to thank God for what He has done in my life, and to thank God for the opportunities I have to serve him. Simply put, I just need to slow down!
Honestly, it was one of the coolest experiences…it was so awesome to fly around Anderson. Here are some random pictures from the trip.
January 28th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Thank you Alden for the excitement you showed concerning the flight. Those who fly in general aviation aircraft have a perspective of God’s beautiful earth that few get to experience. From here on the surface you can see the strokes of God’s paintbrush, but from three thousand feet you can see His artistry in all its glory.
Thank you, Alden, for sharing your experience.
Barron
January 31st, 2008 at 11:29 am
Great insight and analogy of your wonderful experience flying and being still with God.
Sounds like it was a lot of fun. One of my goals in life is to learn to fly a plane like that. I have a buddy who is in the process now, but I didn’t know Barron flies too (i think we’re talking about the same Barron). Now I have something to talk about next time I see him. Thanks for sharing.