As many of you know, I have my private pilot’s license. Now, I’m not current and haven’t flown in about 20years, but I still have my pilot’s license. I also owned my own airplane for a couple of years. It was the coolest thing to go flying. I have some great memories of being in my airplane and soaring through the sky.
Even though I’m no longer active in aviation, I actually still have two pieces of my airplane that are in my office at the church. What I still have are two instruments from the panel that failed, or broke, during one of my flights. The two instruments are the directional gyro (or basically a compass) and the attitude indicator or artificial horizon. I kept those two instruments because they were a reminder of my airplane and my flying days. But I also hang on to them because they serve as a good reminder of two questions I try to ask myself in my ministry from time to time. Those questions are, “What direction am I moving in?” And the follow up questions is, “Is that the direction I want to be going?” The other question I try to ask myself occasionally, that relates to the other instrument, is “What is my attitude?”
In an airplane, the term “attitude” speaks to the position of the nose of the airplane in relation to the horizon. If the nose of the airplane is always high or above the horizon, there will eventually be problems. If the nose of the airplane is always low or below the horizon, again, there will eventually be problems. Or if the nose of the airplane is not aiming toward the destination you wish to arrive at, there will be problems. So, the proper attitude of the airplane is very important for a successful flight.
Recently I was reminded of a saying that I first heard a couple years ago that I found to be very powerful. I was watching a video clip on Facebook of a contestant on America’s Got Talent. The person auditioning was a singer who went by the name of “Nightbird.” During the judge’s talking with Nightbird before her audition, she revealed that she was dealing with cancer and it was serious, but it was her dream to audition, so there she was, positive, upbeat, confident, seemingly not overwhelmed by a life-threatening disease.
One of the judges commented on the difficulties she was dealing with in life and yet how her glowing countenance and positive spirit so clearly shone through. What Nightbird said next grabbed my attention and has become a truth I remind myself of regularly. She said, “You can’t wait until life isn’t hard any more to decide you’re going to be happy.” OK, stop…go back and reread that last sentence, but this time read it slowly and let the words sink in.
I don’t know about you, but that statement is so powerful and full of so much wisdom. Happiness is not about circumstance; happiness is really a choice that we make. It is a decision about our attitude and the direction we choose to take in life. I have seen people who live in luxury and have all the appearances of success…and yet they are miserable. And I have seen people who live in poverty, who have nothing, and are absolutely joy- filled in life. Happiness isn’t about circumstance. Happiness is a decision!
Unfortunately, within a year of her America’s Got Talent audition, Nightbird died due to the aggressive cancer within her. Cancer ended her physical life, but it didn’t touch her spirit or decide her outcome in life. And the work that Nightbird started through a foundation, her music, and videos continues. Life was hard for her in so many ways…but she still chose happiness!
I don’t know what each of you reading this reflection is dealing with in life. I’m not suggesting you disregard the struggles or difficulties you are facing in life or pretend they don’t exist. Not at all. But I do believe attitude is everything. So, take a quick peek at the attitude indicator in your life. What is your attitude? What is your direction? Is it taking you in the direction you want your life to go? Today, remember that Jesus is always with you and offers to help carry the burden we each carry. That is also what a church family is for.And remember the words that Nightbird spoke, “You can’t wait until life isn’t hard any more to decide you’re going to be happy.” Part of the joy and happiness that we can experience as followers of Jesus is knowing that Jesus is with us…always!
Pastor Keith