Delayed Isn't Negative

I had the great privilege of having my travel plans go through Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson airport (ATL) this week.  I'll give you one guess what that means...yep...running through an airport.  I'm convinced they should actually have high-school track meets in that airport with the amount of running and hurdling that's being done in there! I was in Greenville, SC flying out of that airport that is about the size of my house, but our airplane was delayed in getting to us because it was coming out of Atlanta.  So my connection time was, lets just say, less than ideal in the busiest airport in the world.  Luckily I made it (after a nice cardio workout) and was sitting on the plane to Jacksonville catching my breath when God used that whole situation to speak to me and maybe speak to someone reading this now.As I sat in the Greenville airport and they continued to let us know our flight was delayed as I watched he panic grow stronger each minute we were not on that plane.  People began to ask the same questions of the flight attendants over and over hoping for a different answer, but the fact was that our flight was delayed and there wasn't anything we or they could do about it.  Some people would miss their connections in Atlanta, and some people may end of having to stay the evening somewhere other than their final destination.What struck me after thinking about this is that everyone immediately thinks very negatively when it comes to delayed flights.  Have you ever thought about why those flights are delayed?  Have you ever thought that a few more minutes wait on your end may be beneficial to you or someone else?  Maybe theres a good reason its delayed.  Lets think about it....and start showing you what God showed me...Scenario A: WeatherMaybe your flight was grounded so the people on your flight or the one before yours would be kept safe due to weather. If you haven't noticed weather is completely out of our control, so why do we let it upset us when it changes our plans.  God is in control of all things, even the things we believe we are in control over.  His ways are greater than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).  God has greater things in mind and knows what He is doing.  He doesn't want you taking off in a thunder storm, so just trust Him! Scenario B: MechanicalIm sure you've heard this one on the plane.  You were told the plane was waiting for someone to fix a mechanical issue, or repair a flat tire, or something different.  People of course get upset at this too.  It makes me wonder if they would prefer to take off immediately and not fix the problem? God always has our best interests at heart, and while we may believe that we want things immediately, He is more than likely delaying your situation to protect you or those around you.  Scenario C: Other PassengerNow this has been me before so I know it happens.  The plane waits to close the door because they know you are coming from a connecting flight and will be a few minutes late.  Typically your connecting flights will hold that door so you can make it and not have to find a new flight.  But then you get on the plane you just ran for and all those people sitting waiting on you are upset because you are keeping them from where they need to be.  God may be doing this in your life right now.  Maybe you aren't sure why God has you moving somewhere, or has you in a certain job when you want to leave.  Maybe He is simply waiting for someone else to be where they need to before you can move forward effectively.  in short...you are NOT the only person on the planet, and God has more than just you to fit into His perfect plan.  Maybe just trust the He knows what He is doing and celebrate with those around you in the mean-time.You can look at God as an air-traffic controller of sorts.  He is responsible for making sure people get to where they are supposed to be, and He is also responsible for the safety of all the travelers.  He has to be focused on the safety and accuracy of getting people where they need to go, as opposed to all the "wants" of the individual travelers.So you may think you are in a holding pattern in your life, but don't look at it in a negative way.  Remember that there is a reason you are delayed, and until you take off you should enjoy the moment and location you are in.Galatian 5:22-23"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."Isaiah 55:8-9"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."