Miracle On The Hudson

We all love stories of miracles. Most of you know the story of US Air Flight 1549 that took off from LaGuardia Airport. During the initial climb they hit a flock of geese that penetrated the engines and both engines flamed out not able to be restarted. The only place to land was the Hudson River. Now landing an airplane in water is a tricky task. Nose too high or too low and you are in trouble. A wing tip could catch the water if the water if it is too choppy or the pilot tries to overcorrect. That would result in a cartwheel. Also that day the weather was good enough for visual flight rules. What if they were on instruments? There would have been no way to see the Hudson River.

So who landed that plane? It has been well publicized of the great flying ability of Chesley Burnett "Sully" Sullenberger III. He had the right stuff and all the years of experience for this moment. Interesting enough he was a glider pilot instructor at the Air Force Academy.

Last night I gave the prayer at the Drivers Meeting for the Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway. I had prayed that winning comes in two forms. One is coming in first in the race but winning is also doing the best that you can with the talents that the Lord has given you. Flight 1549 was a culmination of everyone doing the best that they could do with the talents given them. You could say that they prepared their entire life for this moment.

I was speaking to a good friend of mine Amber Wells who was sitting in the back of flight 1549 on that fateful day. The fuselage had just come to Charlotte to be put in a museum and Amber went to see the plane. I asked her if it was tough to see the plane. Her response caught me off guard. Amber said “I looked at the plane and realized that this metal tube protected us. It held together and it saved us.”

I had just stopped now to pray for a verse that would fit this lesson. Ezekiel 10:12 came into my mind from the Lord. I hardly ever read Ezekiel. As a matter of fact the page I opened to was the very verse!!!!! If you have not figured it out by now there are no coincidences in this life. God orchestrates everything for His glory and honor.

Ezekiel 10:12 “Their entire bodies, including their backs, their hands and their wings, were completely full of eyes, as were their four wheels”

The NIV study note for this verse says “the numerous eyes represent the all-seeing nature of God. Nothing, even those things done in secret, can be hidden from God.”

God knew about Flight 1549 before the beginning of time. He had the perfect crew for His perfect purpose. Everyone on the plane that day God put there. God used that accident to change each of those people’s lives in a special way. Since God knows EVERYTHING not only can He save you but He desires to save you. Jesus desires that none should perish but that all should come to know Him. (2 Peter3:9). Our safety tube for this life is Jesus. Today you may be hurtling through life out of control. At least out of control in your mind but not our of control in the Lord’s ways. He does everything in your life and my life for His perfect purpose.

We don’t know what today will bring but we do know we live in a world with a God that sees everything before it happens. Not only that but He allows it for His glory. So today who will you put your faith in? Will you finally put all those struggles to rest? Will you stop fighting against the wind which you cannot see and let God take over?

“Lord help me to trust in you. I have failed and I have sinned. Please forgive me and restore my joy. I have a hard time getting through the day because I am relying upon my own strength and not yours Jesus. Please show me how to trust and put my faith in you. I want to live a Spirit filled life and follow you instead of getting out ahead of you. Thank you Lord for saving me and always hearing my prayers.”

Now do your part with the talents God has given you but then let God do the rest. He can multiply your talents a thousand times over. There is no better investment than that. Try to have a joyful day and don’t let anyone steal your peace.

Brad