Ladies and gentlemen Can I have your attention, please?

Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the crew I ask that you please direct your attention to the monitors above as we review the emergency procedures. When the seat belt sign illuminates, you must fasten your seat belt. Insert the metal fittings one into the other, and tighten by pulling on the loose end of the strap. To release your seat belt, lift the upper portion of the buckle. We suggest that you keep your seat belt fastened throughout the flight, as we may experience turbulence.

(Stick with me I’m making a point.)

There are six emergency exits on this aircraft. Take a minute to locate the exit closest to you. Note that the nearest exit may be behind you. Count the number of rows to this exit. Should the cabin experience sudden pressure loss, stay calm and listen for instructions from the cabin crew. Oxygen masks will drop down from above your seat. Place the mask over your mouth and nose, like this. Pull the strap to tighten it. If you are traveling with children, make sure that your own mask is on first before helping your children. In the unlikely event of an emergency landing and evacuation, leave your carry-on items behind. Life rafts are located below your seats and emergency lighting will lead you to your closest exit and slide. We ask that you make sure that all carry-on luggage is stowed away safely during the flight. While we wait for take-off, please take a moment to review the safety data card in the seat pocket in front of you.

(Keep sticking with me)

Why make these announcements before takeoff? Why not wait until there's an actual emergency? I mean you're at 30,000 feet cruising a 500+ mph and the unthinkable happens. Sudden cabin decompression. Everything loose on the plane is being sucked toward the source of the decompression. Would that be a better time for the flight attendants to stand up and calmly explain the oxygen mask procedures? Obviously no. In the chaos and panic, no one would hear a thing.

So, my question is why do we do that when it comes to our walk with God? When the storms come and chaos prevails why do we then cry “Jesus take the wheel”?

 I think this is the norm rather than the exception. Your life is going along just great and then disaster strikes out of nowhere. How do we react? God, why did you let this happen? Where were you when I needed you? Jesus help me! I’m so sorry for my behavior, if you would just rescue me this one time I will change, I will serve you, and on and on.

What I am trying to say is practicing in our relationship with Jesus when things are calm is way more effective than when things go wrong. In fact, we are better prepared for when the inevitable storm arises. Let’s look at what the Apostle Paul tells the Philippians.

Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Paul is telling the Philippians what to practice thinking about. Notice the very first item on the list is “whatever is true”. Are you thinking about what is true when you think about who God is? Are you thinking about what is true when you think about yourself and your union with Christ? How about others, what are you thinking about them? Maybe you don’t know exactly what the truth is.

What I want to point out is verse 9. Paul says to the Philippians “As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

He’s telling them there are things to practice. Things you have learned, things you have received,  things you have heard, and things you have seen in me. Translation; hey Philippians look at me, I’m your example of a follower of Christ who learned the secret of living in peace and it involves practice and your thought life. And by the way, did I mention it takes practice? When? Every day, good and bad days. This is your new life in Christ.

Here are some scriptures that corroborate what Paul is saying.

Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Ephesians 4:22-23 22 that, in reference to your former way of life, you are to rid yourselves of the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you are to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.
1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,
Ephesians 4:20-24 20 But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22 that, in reference to your former way of life, you are to rid yourselves of the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you are to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

So if running to God when things aren’t going your way is your strategy, understand that it will be much more difficult to remember how the oxygen mask works or find your way to the emergency exit.

When we practice those things that Paul suggests, it brings peace in our lives. It’s a new lifestyle. Our lives are now hidden in Christ. Colossians 3:3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
He is our focus, in every situation, every day. What does God say about me? Am I enough? Am I loved even when my behavior is bad? Am I acceptable to God? Your freedom comes when you discover the truth about these questions.

We all enter into this life in Christ with old thought patterns. Ways we think about God, ourselves, and others that aren’t compatible with the word of God. We’ve done them for so long that they are now, default. Paul is encouraging us to develop new thought patterns that line up with the truth of God's word.

When we practice this, we find peace where before there was only confusion.