#5 – All
August 24, 2019Consider it great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. ~ James 1:2-4 [CSB]
I’m not much of an endurance runner anymore. During a past life in better physical shape I ran long distances in formations of singing Army recruits, pilot trainees and air cavalrymen. Forging ahead now in formation with God; however, He challenges me to the point of falling out of the pack, something I refused to do in younger days. I gave my physical all to finish runs in the military, necessary training to condition and prepare me to serve my unit as a combat aeroscout pilot.
Endurance with God is not only physical, but also spiritual, mental, and emotional. For me, writing this post about a simple three-letter word has been like running my first marathon. Because when I reach the end of myself, I don’t want to open up some areas of my life that need chiseling. Starting a blog seemed easy but eventually I came to a place where continuing was hard.
Battling dark forces in the spiritual realm isn’t where I want the formation to go. Rather than going up and down the hills, LORD, can’t we just run on level ground where I don’t have to face trials? Instead of Summer heat, can’t we go on a cool Spring morning? Why so long, God? When will we stop? Why is the spiritual fruit of joy not seeming like much fun?
Joyful trials + Faithful endurance = Spiritual maturity
Contemporary musician John Legend sings ‘All of me.’ You may have heard it:
‘Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I’ll give my all to you
You’re my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I’m winning
‘Cause I give you all, all of me
And you give me all, all of you
Source: LyricFind
Perfect imperfections.
In life, I’ve grown to appreciate imperfections because I realize only God fills the gaps and makes them whole. He gives the grace and discernment to appreciate small gifts in the race of life. Hugs from my kids, smiles from my wife, a restful sigh from a dog laying faithfully next to me at the end of a busy day. Strength to keep running in formation when I want to quit. None of these are things, or words – they’re simple life happening in God’s pace, His time.
Imagine me sitting at the keyboard of my computer with sweaty hands and nervous knees. I’m getting ready for a big checkride, or important interview, or a speech in front of hundreds of people. Here’s my challenge. My love language is words of affirmation. I want people to see how great I am and tell me so. In opening up the window of my heart and saying that, I’m afraid of others knowing my secret fear. But I need to confess and allow God to have it, rather than holding on and living behind a plastic mask of ‘look how great I am.’
Instead, I want to see perfect imperfections. Not things or words, but simple blessings. When I look, God is faithful to show them to me. And when I see, I focus on myself less and on God and others more.
In the 1997 film Good Will Hunting, actor Robin Williams described imperfections in romantic relationships to Matt Damon as ‘the good stuff.’
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God,
who are called according to His purpose. ~ Romans 8:28 [CSB]
But giving everything up to God is hard for me. Really hard. I sing “I surrender all” and think I gave it all up. My flesh continues to seek approval with title, image, appearance. In the midst of my struggles I find myself needing constant affirmation and nurturing from the Holy Spirit – I’ve got you, I’m for you, I’ve forgiven you. In my own strength, I strive to achieve that one more thing, the project, the initiative, the product, the title, the accolade – yet when I see someone else getting what I think I want, I get frustrated. Instead of humbly feeling true appreciation and admiration, thoughts of jealousy, envy, malice creep in. A post on Twitter, Facebook, where someone gives appreciation to another instead of me. I’ve been left out of the thinking, feeling hurt and betrayed.
Wait… stop! As I take captive that thought, what I realize I’m appreciated by my creator. In Christ, I’m affirmed, redeemed, rebuilt (in progress), restored. While somebody’s occasional ‘atta boy’ provides me temporal fulfillment, what I truly need comes from my eternal creator.
Giving everything up to God is hard for me.
Really hard.
When I think about perfection, full effect, complete, lacking nothing – the only way I can measure up is through God’s grace and daily provision. Because I know how inadequate and [gulp] sinful my nature can be; however, in Christ I can take captive my thoughts and be transformed. Perhaps His way of allowing me to grow is for people NOT to constantly affirm me. Let’s consider something – absence of affirmation is NOT condemnation. And by the way, I’m in Christ, so there is no condemnation anyway.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ~ 1 John 1:9 [CSB]
God, thanks for Your grace in allowing me to live without words of affirmation from others, and to experience Your provision without words, but perfect imperfections of life. Help me see Your perfection in the small things. Continue Your work as I run with You to produce endurance in me. You’re not done, LORD… -Amen.
Is God still at work in you?
What can you place at His altar?
Flight and Faith Blog:
drmitchellmorrison.com
#4 – Trust
July 15, 2019Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. ~Proverbs 3:5 [CSB]
Earned trust is one of life’s most valuable commodities. Legendary management guru Peter Drucker once said that organizations are no longer built on force but by trust. I believe communicating and receiving trust stems from God, Who remains trustworthy in all situations. In aviation, passengers trust their lives to pilots, flight crew, air traffic controllers, mechanics, engineers, and regulatory infrastructure.
Over the past century, aviation has experienced failures rooted in poor design, human error, and organizational pressures. Political and business leaders have broken trust from Watergate to Enron. Pete Rose slugged 4,256 hits during a historic career but gambling destroyed his legacy. The Commissioner banned Rose from baseball for life. The greatest hitter of all time has no path to Cooperstown. Fun fact: Rose has 1,100 more than baseball’s current active hit leader: 39-year old future hall of famer Albert Pujols. Trust can be broken in a moment, replaced by skepticism, anxiety, or frustration – rooted in fear.
He hasn’t given us a spirit of fear, but one of
power, love, and sound judgment
In the early 1950s, Britain launched the Comet, a new passenger jet aircraft. Three mysterious crashes occurred during a short time – two off the Italian coast. Investigators discovered a square window design bred premature metal fatigue cracks, leading to in-flight decompression failures. Engineers redesigned the windows with rounded edges, but the Americans had launched the Boeing 707, which took over the global jet market. The largest Comet customer became the Royal Air Force, operating the military variant known as the Nimrod when the simple design flaw was corrected. The question on everyone’s minds in the 1950’s: Are jets safe?
Around 2010, perceived high costs of emissions controls led Volkswagen engineers to cheat over the past decade launching their first- and second-generation diesel models. Rather than sell high-quality cost-efficient transportation (as perceived by customers) they secretly programmed the car’s engines to run differently during EPA testing. Normal software programming included operations emitting up to 40 times allowable pollutants. Slapped with stiff penalties worldwide, industry analysts say VW’s costs of the scandal range from $18 to $30 Billion. Manufacturers seem focused on developing and promoting electric technology.
With a Super Bowl berth on the line, referees missed a crucial pass interference penalty with less than two minutes remaining in the Saints/Rams 2018 National Football Conference championship. Fans, coaches, and owners lobbied for a new policy change mandating video review in similar situations moving forward. Video review of referee and umpire decisions (now even ‘non-calls’) has become the new norm because officials’ decisions aren’t completely trustworthy. Why? Because people make mistakes. All of us. Myself. And you too.
Struggles, setbacks, and challenges knock us down. When something I believe in crumbles, where do I turn? How do I respond? Scripture contains rich treasures revealing God’s ways, plans, and heart.
- Because people make mistakes.
- All of us.
- Myself.
- And you too.
God encourages His children to be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9) and reminds us He hasn’t given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment (2 Timothy 1:7). In aviation lingo, I would define the Bible as an operating manual, describing the origin of life, identity of God, purpose of man, how God wants man to live (morality), and His destiny for all. Rather than a worldview of reliance and trust on men (or self) I want to pursue a worldview centered upon the Bible.
What do you trust in?
Describe your worldview.
Flight and Faith blog: drmitchellmorrison.com
#1 – Life Verse
June 22, 2019He has told you, O man what is good, and what does the LORD require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 [NASB]
I believe God created the skies we fly in. More important, He works in seasons of peoples’ lives throughout our thriving profession. My flight career almost never happened. A rebellious teen during Reagan’s Cold War build-up years, I wasn’t enlisting unless I could fly. Fortunately, I made the minimum required score on the Army’s flight aptitude test; however, this wasn’t the only obstacle. I needed to come to the end of myself.
During flight school, the commander called me into his office, asking about my poor driving record. The government conducts security clearance reviews for officers entering military service. Serious business. Two instances of speeding on suburban Los Angeles freeways; the speed limit then was 55. One was for 71 after an Angels game and the other for driving 69 on a Sunday evening after church. Running my neighborhood stop sign; nobody there, except for the La Palma officer doing his job. These were the only times I got caught. There were several other near-misses.
I was guilty. There was nothing to do. My career trajectory sat in the balance of a few poor decisions. Was it too late? Would I be moved to infantry? Could a screw-up like me ever be trusted?
“Sir, no excuses. I take responsibility. Please give me an opportunity to learn and grow from these mistakes.”
Fortunately, I had proven myself in training enough to earn the trust of my peers and commanders. He cautioned me to learn from my miscues and signed a waiver request which providentially was approved. Along my journey toward the end of myself, Act justly rang true.
Do right, love people, fight arrogance.
In the early 90s, a mentor named Tim gave me Honest to God, a book by Bill Hybels that shaped my identity as a Christian. Tim removed the cover, saying, “Here you go.” I haven’t seen or heard from Tim since, but I’m grateful. Over the years, Hybels’ Honest to God proved a useful resource, along with Holy Discontent and Simplify. Hybels’ Simplify (2014) includes a section on finding and choosing life verses. I adopted Micah 6:8 several years ago.
God created the skies we fly in
Other than opening up my heart to him, God requires little, if anything. He leads my way and showers my life with justice and mercy when I’m real with Him. But it’s not even about what we do, it’s who we are: Created for eternity to glorify God.
Aviation was my second choice, but college wasn’t an option given my family situation, finances, and to be candid, my life direction. In January 1983 during my TH-55A nickel ride, I first encountered the joy of flying. Fun, fulfillment, precision, creativity – in every sense.
Thank you, LORD, for allowing me to begin a second choice career in aviation despite traffic tickets, minimum test scores, and life direction.
What’s your life verse?
How did aviation find you?
Flight and Faith blog: drmitchellmorrison.com
Welcome
June 15, 2019What makes you distinct? For me, I seek to inspire connection of identity in myself and others with destiny to serve others and build community. Let’s learn together!