Ready for Takeoff

I believe we still see God working in our world today when He provides for our needs, answers our prayers, changes our lives and protects us from harm. The Bible records some specific examples in the book of Ezra in chapters 7-8 and I think we still see Him doing this today.

We had a memorable experience getting off the ground flying from Los Angeles to Maui. Our seats were near one of the bulk heads in the economy section so a flight attendant was sitting in a jump seat facing us. As we settled in for takeoff one of the flight attendants reviewed the safety features of the aircraft. When we turned on to the main runway the pilot announced that we were cleared for takeoff.  

At LAX planes usually take off to the west over the ocean. We could feel the plane picking up speed as it raced down the runway. Suddenly the plane began to shake violently and shudder to a stop near the end of the runway. A few more seconds and we would have been swimming in Santa Monica Bay.

I looked at the flight attendant sitting in the jump seat facing us and could see she was alarmed. I asked her how often this had happened in her career. Her reply was brief – never. In all the years she had flown she had never experienced the plane aborting takeoff as it raced down the runway.

The pilot came on the intercom and explained that the computer sensed that we did not have enough speed to take off and it shut down the engines before it was too late. One of the two engines did not have the required amount of power to get us off the ground. The pilot was reassuring. He told us that we would be towed to a remote part of the airport so they could test the engines. While we sat on the plane they tested one engine and then tested the other. The pilot told us that one of the engines was underperforming and we needed to go back to the gate and wait for another plane to take us to Maui.

The next flight did not have room for all of us so they offered a $1000 voucher for a future flight, a hotel room and meals for people who were willing to wait for a flight the next day. My wife and I volunteered. We believe that God protected us and the other passengers and crew from serious harm or death. We were thankful to be alive and glad to receive the travel vouchers too. It was a takeoff we still remember to this day! Let me encourage you to watch for examples of God working in your life each day. You will be glad you did and He will too.

You can read 365 more stories by the author in his book Let Me Encourage You by Mark Hopper. You can purchase two books for only $30 plus postage ($5). Order a copy for yourself and one to give to a friend this holiday season. They will be glad you did and you will too! Order your books at markh@efreedb.org.