Word for Word 8/20/25

In late July, some of the youth from our congregation packed up their bags for a four-day trip to Spokane, WA along with over 250 others for our church body’s national youth convention. The convention was filled with worship services, presentations, a theme park, river tubing, and more.

After an encouraging and exciting trip, we headed home Sunday evening. Yet, due to thunderstorms and tornadoes near Minneapolis, our flight was delayed for an hour and then, once we approached our destination, we had to remain in the air for another hour for the weather to clear up. Finally, the pilot said we were going to attempt to land. He warned us that there might be some turbulence. He was right!

As we descended, the whole plane shook. There were likely over 50 youth from our trip on the plane and for many it was only their second flight. So, there were plenty of screams that we heard similar to the theme park a couple days before. My stomach got sicker on the airplane than all the other theme park rides combined. I prayed and thanked God when we finally landed.

While I felt somewhat uneasy throughout the turbulence (which the pilot said was the worst he had gone through in his 20 years of flying), I was encouraged to see many of our youth’s reaction when the turbulence came. What did they do? They started to sing a hymn: “On my heart imprint Thine image, Blessed Jesus, King of grace, That life’s riches, cares, and pleasures have no pow’r Thee to efface. This the superscription be: Jesus, crucified for me, Is my life, my hope’s foundation, And my glory and salvation” (ELH 593).

When these young Christians were frightened, they found comfort in singing a great hymn telling of what Jesus has done for us. They comforted one another by telling of God’s love for us and reminding each other that because of Jesus, we have hope and eternal salvation. No matter what would have happened, they knew that nothing - neither height nor depth - could separate them from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:39).

When turbulence comes, what do you do? So often we fret and imagine the worst things that could happen. We think about all we can do to try and fix the situation or get out of it. We can get angry or cry. We can find ourselves doing a lot of things when turbulence comes - when scary things or hard times come into our lives. But what should we do?

Here, these children serve as a good reminder to us adults. After all, Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3). When Jesus says this, He is teaching us about humility. It’s to realize we need to be dependent on someone else - not ourselves. Just as a child relies on their parents’ care, so too do we need to be reliant on God.

We can’t save ourselves - we are sinners in need of a Savior. Our only hope of entering the kingdom of heaven is because of Jesus. Yet, God wants us to rely on Him for more than just  our salvation. God wants us to always put our trust in Him - especially, during turbulent times. He wants us to pray and go to His Word for encouragement.

Scripture tells us, “Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (I Peter 5:7). God cares for you. What a comfort that is! Our heavenly Father sent His only begotten Son to be our Savior, so that whoever believes in Him might have the hope of everlasting life. Don’t you think He cares about you in your troubles and hardships? Of course, He does! What’s more, He promises to be with you through them all. He is our Good Shepherd, isn’t He? Psalm 23 states, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).

I’d like to leave you with a comforting hymn verse, which Lutherans have been singing for over four hundred years. I hope this brings you a comforting reminder of God’s love and care for you - especially, when turbulence comes.

Lord Jesus, who dost love me,
O spread Thy wings above me
And shield me from alarm!
Though evil would assail me,
Thy mercy will not fail me;
I rest in Thy protecting arm.
(Now Rest Beneath Night’s Shadow, Verse 5).

Pastor Abraham Faugstad
King of Grace Lutheran Church ELS, Waukon and Trinity Lutheran Church