May 7, 2018
Years ago I was invited to preach at a college, and my schedule was such that I could not go. They said, “If we send a private airplane for you, can you go?” I said, “Well, if you can do that, I can go.” And so they sent a private airplane.
We took off and were flying over Arkansas when the pilot said, “Do you know how to fly an airplane?” I said, “No, I don’t.” We were sitting side by side and he said, “Would you like to try?” I said, “Yes, I would.” He said, “All right, you sit here and do thus and so and put your feet here and do this and watch this and so forth.”
As we passed the time flying over Arkansas, he let me fly that airplane. Of course, he was sitting right next to me. He could fly it without me, but I guarantee I couldn’t fly it without him. He had his hands on the controls; I had my hands on the controls. Now what we were doing was having fellowship, and he was allowing me to participate with him where he didn’t need me, but I needed him desperately.
It was a delightful experience for me to be able to fly that airplane. That’s the way prayer is. God can do it without you. God knows exactly what you have need of before you ask Him. Matthew 6:8 says, “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” But God enables you to be one with Him. And all the while, He teaches us a dependency upon Him and fellowship with Him.
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”