“Aisle, Middle, or Window? What Your Airplane Seat Choice Says About Your Life Journey”

A few days ago, I made a post about having a reserved seat. At the time, I was reflecting on how, in life, we often search for the right place—the right opportunity, the right relationship, the right position. But sometimes, the seat we’re meant to have is already set aside for us—we just have to recognize it and sit in it with confidence.

That thought resurfaced again as I sat at LaGuardia Airport, thinking about something simple: airplane seat preferences.

Some people love the window seat—they enjoy the view, the stillness, and the ability to control the shade when it gets too bright. Others prefer the aisle seat, valuing the freedom to get up and move when needed. And then there’s the middle seat—the one most of us avoid, but sometimes it’s where we find the most unexpected connections.

But what if these seat choices weren’t just about travel? What if they reflected the way we navigate life—and even our spiritual journey?

The Window Seat: The Observer and the Dreamer

There’s something peaceful about the window seat. I love seeing the world from above, gaining perspective from thousands of feet in the air. But I also love that I can shut the shade when I need a break from the light.

Isn’t life like that sometimes? We want to see where we’re going. We love getting a glimpse of the bigger picture. But when things feel too overwhelming, we shut out the light—sometimes even shutting out God’s guidance because it’s too much to take in at once.

Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Even when the light feels bright or blinding, God’s guidance is never meant to overwhelm us—it’s meant to illuminate our way.

The A.T.O.M. Principle reminds us that Acknowledging and Assessing where we are is the first step in any journey. When we sit in the window seat of life, are we seeing things clearly? Or are we pulling the shade down because we’re afraid of the view?

The Aisle Seat: The One Who Likes Control

One person commented on my post that they love the aisle seat because they don’t like feeling trapped, especially on long flights. They need the freedom to move.

That made me think—how often do we want control in life? We want access to get up when we please, exit when things feel uncomfortable, and make quick decisions without waiting for direction.

There’s wisdom in being positioned for movement, but are we leaving room for God’s plan to unfold? Proverbs 16:9 says, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

Sometimes, God positions us in a place that feels uncomfortable, but it’s exactly where we need to be. In the A.T.O.M. Principle, Turning Inward & Turning Upward is about surrendering that control—seeking God’s direction instead of rushing to move when we feel restless.

The Middle Seat: The Unexpected Place of Growth

No one wants the middle seat. And yet, the one time I was given one by mistake, I ended up having the best conversations with the two men beside me. It was a moment I never would have experienced if I had insisted on sitting elsewhere.

How often do we resist where God has placed us because it doesn’t feel comfortable? Maybe your seat in this season feels tight—like you don’t have the space you need. Maybe you’re wedged between responsibilities you didn’t ask for. But could it be that this is the very place where God is developing something in you?

Joseph, in the Bible, was placed in many “middle seats”—sold into slavery, thrown into prison—yet each position was preparing him for his rightful seat as ruler in Egypt. Genesis 50:20 says, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.”

In the A.T.O.M. Principle, Owning Your Story is about embracing where you are, even if it’s not where you thought you’d be. Sometimes, the middle seat is actually where we find our greatest growth and connections.

When God Changes Your Seat

The beautiful thing about this journey we’re on is that we’re not stuck in one seat forever. Just like on a flight, where we might switch seats or be reassigned, God often moves us into different places for a reason, a season, or even a lifetime.

I remember a time when I was sure I’d get my preferred seat, only to arrive and find out that my assignment had changed. I was frustrated. I had a plan, I had expectations, and now I was in a seat I didn’t want. But after the flight, I realized—I was exactly where I needed to be.

Life is like that, isn’t it? We plan our paths, expecting a smooth ride, only to find ourselves rerouted, reassigned, or feeling stuck in a position we didn’t ask for. But when we trust that God sees the whole flight path, not just our row number, we can rest in knowing that He has already assigned the right seat for us.

One of the biggest pivots in my life happened in 2008 when I was laid off from corporate America as a human resources consultant. I clearly heard the Lord tell me to move into faith-based and nonprofit work. It was a major shift. My salary dropped significantly. My son and I went from comfortable living and vacations to two years of not working.

And yet, those two years were the best two years of my life. They stretched me, grew me, and deepened my trust in God. Eventually, I transitioned into full-time nonprofit and faith-based work—just like God told me I would. And even today, I still work for a nonprofit. That was a pivot, but it was a God pivot.

The Delays and Turbulence of Life

The reality of travel—and life—is that it’s rarely a smooth, direct flight. There are delays, turbulence, reroutes, and sometimes even cancellations.

Maybe you expected to land somewhere by now—a dream fulfilled, a relationship restored, a door opened—but instead, you’re circling in a holding pattern. Maybe you thought you’d be married by now, have children by now, or finally be in the career you envisioned. But instead, you’re still waiting.

Delays can be frustrating. Turbulence can be unsettling. Even the landing—what should be the smoothest part—can sometimes feel like an up-and-down, shaky experience. But just like a pilot stays in constant communication with the control tower, we need to stay in constant communication with God.

Isaiah 40:31 reminds us, “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

We may not understand the delays. We may not like the turbulence. But God is still in control of the flight. And when we finally land—whether it’s where we expected or somewhere completely different—it will be exactly where we were meant to be.

Where Are You Seated Right Now?

No matter where you are, God has placed you there for a reason. The key is not just to find a seat—but to trust His positioning for your journey.

Drop a comment below—what’s your seat preference, and what do you think it says about you?