There is a certain peace I feel as I stride through the early morning air toward the hangar. There air is cool with just the faintest hint of sage and honeysuckle.  I can hear the sounds of early country morning all around me. A horse snorts through the grass just on the other side of the fence. Farther out in the pasture the cattle call to one another. The birds sing their joy in the sunrise of a new day. Maybe they, like I, look forward to a day when all will be new.

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create;”
Isaiah 65:17-18

The hangar doors yawn widely and allow the sun to reflect off the tiny aircraft waiting inside. I look at it and temper my pride with comparison to God’s handiwork.  Aircraft are only a cartoonish reflection of the creatures God created for flight. Their sleek lines and perfect symmetry have yet to be aptly duplicated by man. Nor do I suppose they ever will be. However, I am glad God has gifted man with flight and further blessed me with His generosity. I don’t even deserve to live much less enjoy such a wonderful gift as flight! Thank God for His mercy and generosity!

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God,” They are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice; There is no one who does good. God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men To see if there is anyone who understands, Who seeks after God. Every one of them has turned aside; together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one.
Psalms 53:1-3

My plane is ready and roars to life. I make my way to the end of the runway to perform my pre-flight checks. I radio my intention to leave the earth if only breifly. I hesitate for only a moment as I pull out onto the runway. I stare into an azure blue sky. The white clouds strewn about give this blue canvas texture and majesty. I gaze at the clouds hoping to see a sight I long for.
 
“Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.”
Mark 13:26

I advance my throttle and my plane races forward to my skyward goal. As I am lifted into the air I enjoy a small taste of that joy that is to come. A small joy that only a chosen few enjoy in this day. A joy that all who are chosen will one day enjoy.

Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:17

And then I find myself suspended upon the breath of God. All around my pathetic little craft I hear the roaring wind…

And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Acts 2:2

Is it only the relative wind careening past me or is the Spirit of God surrounding me, holding me aloft by His very breath? The invisible holding up the visible.  Around me the clouds testify to the glory and majesty of God. Painted in hues of fire by the rising sun.

Now on the day that the tabernacle was erected the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the testimony, and in the evening it was like the appearance of fire over the tabernacle, until morning. So it was continuously; the cloud would cover it by day, and the appearance of fire by night.
Numbers 9:15-16

The light laden clouds are only shadowy portals to my glorious future, chosen by God to gorify and enjoy Him forever. One day to pass through the clouds never again to set foot on earth until all things have been made new by our creator.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to {obtain} an inheritance {which is} imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 1:3-5

Amen! Come Lord Jesus!