I’m not a good flyer. In fact, I’d say that nothing spikes my already steady level of anxiety like a turbulent flight.
While flying for work last week, I’m pretty sure I lost minutes off my life. As the large 737 bowed and shook during our descent (which seemed to take a really, really long time), I clutched my armrest–and after an extended and abrupt shake–the thigh of the woman seated next to me.
I apologized. I was embarrassed, but my seat mates were just as scared. Ah, camaraderie; connection made by terror. We eventually landed safe and sound. (And so, I’m writing this blog.)
My colleague who was also on my flight shared her experience once we deplaned. We were both so relieved to be on the ground, and we laughed about our fear.
When we reached the hotel, a doorman asked, “How was your flight?” My colleague replied, “Good!”
That made me laugh. Only moments before, thousands of feet in the air, we experienced intense fear. Now that it was over, we readjusted to still being alive.
It’s crazy how we as humans can adapt to fear so rapidly. We move on—maybe not in all situations. But the times we overcome fear quickly–like this flight–remind me of God’s promise to us.
[bctt tweet=”God’s love is bigger than our worst fears. ” username=”womenoftheelca”]
God’s love is bigger than our worst fears. Gods love through Jesus frees us from fear so that we can move on. We don’t just move on for ourselves, but to share God’s love with others.
How do we share God’s love? We share love when we don’t act critically toward one another and when we resist hatred. What other ways can we share God’s love?
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
Elizabeth McBride is editor of Cafe and director for intergenerational programs for Women of the ELCA.
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