You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

Gravity is a truth no longer debated. Whether an apple really fell out of a tree and landed on Sir Isaac Newton’s head to spur revelation regarding the subject is the funny and debatable part. We also know that to overcome gravity, a greater force (called power, thrust, and lift) must be in play. The next time we see an airplane flying above, we can be certain of that greater force being in effect. As we take off on our separate journeys this week, let’s look to being confident in flying high…. in spite of what daunting forces might be in place to weigh us down.

Situational challenges and our thought life can be gravitational too. As we all know, stuff, sometimes terrible stuff, happens! It’s also fascinating to learn of research that suggests well over 90% of our thoughts are self – directed and about the same percentage of the words we use are of a negative nature. Life is tough enough, and we have a tendency to apply an additional dose of our own gravity in what we think and say during our daily business. Here are a couple of examples of simple conversations we may have with ourselves or with someone else: What a beautiful day! “Yea, but it’ll probably rain tomorrow” or….” It’s about time”, or…. What’s so beautiful about it?” Up for a moment, and then down we go!

What great truth can we rely upon to pilot our lives this week? Is there a truth that will provide the continual power, thrust, and lift no matter how many apples fall, challenges come, selfish thoughts arise, or what negative spins we intend to use in our own vocabulary? Here’s a fact. We can choose to believe there is an ultimate hopefulness or there isn’t. If I may be transparent for a second… For me to overcome my own challenges and stinking thinking —– I believe in the One who said He is truth and His name is Jesus Christ.

You may have a positive thought or object of your own that will help you gain altitude this week, but may I remind us of John 14:6. Jesus said,” I am the way, the TRUTH and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me.” Subsequently, there’s the conversation between Magistrate Pontius Pilate and Jesus that took place just prior to His crucifixion. Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?”. Jesus remained silent to the relative question. He didn’t have to speak because absolute TRUTH speaks for itself.

May Almighty God relate to us in a way that inspires us to respond in kind. May His love fill our tanks this week with His values, His desires, and His attitude–the kind that blends eternal encouragement with what we’re to face today and this week ahead as mere mortals. With the right wings, we can fly! Let’s prepare our hearts for takeoff and be sure if we do it in spiritual relationship with the Ultimate Pilot, we’ll stay up no matter what.

1 John 5:4-5; Rom 8:37; Psalm 3:3; John 1:5; Phil 4:13