connies corner

BY CONNIE HOPPER

A MATTER OF TRUST

Many years ago, our family was flying home from Boise, Idaho, We changed planes in Salt Lake City. I had already thanked God for the safe flight from Boise and I was praying for a safe trip to North Carolina.

After we reached cruising altitude, the captain welcomed everyone, telling us that we should have a smooth ride at 30,000 feet. He invited us to sit back and enjoy the flight.

But I couldn't.

Flying is a matter of trust, so why was I having trouble turning everything over to a qualified pilot? I remembered from previous flights that there is often turbulence over the Rockies, so I began planning where he should climb to get above it-like I really knew!

Isn't that the way we treat the Captain of our salvation? We try to direct from our low vantage point.

In Psalm 46, the world is being torn apart by earthquakes and tidal waves. Yet, amid that uncertainty, the Psalmist discovers one thing he can count on -God. He can cease his striving because The Lord of host is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold (Psalm 46:11).

Perhaps the world around you is falling apart. You may be facing life-changing emotional stress at home. If you're a student, you may be buried under the books. Maybe you suffer from the sharp pain of a fractured relationship. Maybe your career or your job security is uncertain. Maybe there is a moral war you're struggling with, and you are already feeling the incrimination introspection brought on by defeat.

Whatever mountains are crumbling around you, take the high ground and stop striving. Initially, be quiet. Listen to the whisper of God behind the roar of vour circumstances. You can hear Him, even in the whirlwind. But you have to be still and listen.

Eventually, God will change your circumstances but, in the meantime, He wants to change you. Be assured that God is for you, not against you. He is working behind the scenes for your highest good.

ROAD TO EMMAUS

Sitting backstage at the recent Graceland Gospel Music Festival in Memphis, a young man—whom I had never met—got down on one knee by my chair, and began a brief conversation. I quickly realized he was the pianist and singer for The Inspirations, who had just been on stage and thrilled the audience. He [Luke Vaught] is an amazing young man and an accomplished musician.

 

In our chat, Luke mentioned an old Hoppers song, "The Road To Damascus." He rememberd the arrangement and even our "signature ending" to the song. As we talked, I was going down memory lane, trying to recall when we had recorded it.

 

Upon our return home, I found the song on an album we had recorded int eh 1970s. I'm sure the message in the song spoke to him as it is still a message for today.

Acts 9 tells us of Saul's encounter with Christ on the Damascus road. That encounter changed his life forever. Then, I think of how Luke 24:21 tells of the disciples walking the road to Emmaus, crestfallen over Jesus' crucifixion, and feeling all hope was gone. Verse 15 says that the resurrected—Jesus Himself—drew near and was walking among them!

 

When I got the news of my frontal lobe pituitary gland brain tumor in February of last year, we were all admittedly crestfallen. However, Jesus has been walking among us. In fact, He has been walking hand-in-hand with me.

 

Most importantly, He's Carrying me every step of the way.