Under His Wings

Contributed by Author Diane Yates

“Death, the great equalizer, takes us regardless of wealth, fame, or zip code.” --Johnnie Bernhard, How We Came to Be.

   When we’re young, we believe we’re in control. We’re fearless and believe we can do great things. We make plans, advance our careers, but truth is, we didn’t birth ourselves and we’re not in control of how or when we die. 
   My niece recently found Jesus. To her, the Savior had been missing, but ever since her soul rested in Him, she would go to bed at night, roll over on her side and feel Him cover her with a wing of comfort and care.
  Last night, she went to bed and awaited the morning return of her love who’d made a night run from Arizona to California in his big-rig. She nestled into a deep peaceful sleep, and in her dreams, a pounding persisted, fists hitting glass; the glass of the window pane in her room. 
   In a fog, she rose to her feet. Placing one foot in front of the other, she shuffled into the living room. Red and blue lights flashed through the curtains. Dazed and with eyes half-closed, she cracked the door. There on the steps a highway patrolman; behind him, her beloved’s boss. Didn’t they know it was the middle of the night? 
   As the patrolman spoke, her eyes opened wide. Pain like a sword pierced her heart and her legs gave way.
   We have no control over when we draw our last breath. 
   When I was eleven, a friend of mine lost her mother, two sisters, and a brother when their car stalled on the railroad tracks as the train barreled toward them. “That Sunday morning, Amy’s family didn’t know their lives would soon be over. I realized you didn’t have to be old to die. You could be sixteen or twelve or even five.” --Diane Yates, All That Matters
   The only thing we have complete control of is a decision. Just as Jesus asked Peter, “who do you say I am?” Jesus asks us the same question. Who have you decided Jesus is? He said, “No man comes to the Father except by me.” 
   So, take control, and answer that question wisely.
   Psalm 91:4, He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.


For more information about author and speaker, Diane Yates, visit her website at DianeYates.com. She is author of, Pathways of the Heart, and, All that Matters.