“Those who trust in the Lord will soar on wings like eagles”. So says the Bible in Isaiah chapter 40.
This verse reminds me that with God on our side we can do great things – fantastic things that might seem impossible without His help. “Soaring” means going up or gaining altitude without using any form of engine, and glider pilots use the natural energy of moving air to fly for hundreds of miles and stay airborne for hours, just like a soaring eagle or a gull in front of a cliff face.
I am a glider pilot, and I have experienced the thrill of engine-less flight many hundreds of times. I am pleased that my club has asked me to be Member Relations Manager. I am responsible for two projects that I particularly love. Firstly, I run a mentoring scheme, which aims to helps every member to reach their full potential. Secondly I run a cadet scheme which enables local youngsters to learn to fly for less than £5 a week. We have seen two teenagers complete their first solo flights this summer, one at the age of just 14. Some of our members are students at university, and the attached photograph shows a recent graduate landing a single-seat high-performance glider lent to him by a club member.
Gliding is sometimes seen as a solitary sport, although in fact it involves a great sharing of effort and skill. I am pleased that I can bring the qualities of sharing and encouragement to the club in a very real way to benefit young people in particular.