The Flight Attendant Factor

I received an invitation to watch a video conference about leadership during the time of pandemic. It was last Monday during an hour that turned out to be occupied already. Thankfully they made it available for review, so I benefited from all the same material and simply could not take part in the real time online chat.

There were many useful images shared, which is a trait of Tim Elmore, one of the leaders of the conference and a thinker whose work I very much appreciate.

One of the images he suggested was entitled “The Flight Attendant Factor.” Even if you have not been on a plane recently I’m sure you can think of a time as you were on a flight when you experienced turbulence. Elmore’s observation is that the first thing you do when you experience turbulence is grab your armrests. The second thing most people do is look to the flight attendants. If the flight attendant looks scared, then you know you’re in trouble!

If, however, the flight attendant is still smiling and handing out pretzels you calm down. You think to yourself, “Well, if (s)he thinks it’s ok, I guess I’ll be ok.”

That is certainly one of the messages we in the church want to get across. During this time of pandemic we remain safely in the hands of our loving and all-powerful God. He does assure us that in this world we will have trouble – it is, after all, wracked with sin. But our Lord Jesus continues to say to us, “But take heart; I have overcome the world.” This He accomplished through His passion, death, and triumphant resurrection.

I pray that you are finding peace in the assurance of God’s watchful and loving care.