First Flight

Do you remember the first time you ever flew? I do. March, 1979, I was 16. I flew from New Orleans to Belize, Central America on my first mission trip. It was on TACA, Transamerican Contential Airlline, affectionately dubbed by a few friends who had flown on it a number of times as Take A Chance Airlines.

I remember the instructions from the stewardess - riveting! I remember the guys behind me just ignoring her and going about their business. I remember wanting to tell them to shut up and listen. I remember thinking, if this thing ditches over water, I’ll have to help them with their life vest, they don’t have a clue. I remember being thankful that she told us the oxygen bag may not inflate. I remember looking at the floor for the lights that would illuminate should the cabin loose power and wondering if the plane lost power how could lights come on. I remember thinking it strange that if you were flying with someone who might need help with their oxygen masks to put yours on first and thinking it cruel but then processing that and understanding that if you didn’t get yours on you might not be able to help them. Yeah, I listened.

I prayed the whole take off, maybe the whole flight. Now, 30 years and well over 1000 landing later (I count landings not takeoffs, I figure once I get up the problem is getting down safely) I pretty much ignore the instructions. Oh, I pick up on bits and pieces (floatation device...), I even make eye contact a few times with the person giving the info (today it was an older man - times have changed) so they think I’m listening (should the cabin lose pressure). The information hasn’t gotten less valuable (in the event of a water landing...), safety is still as important (in some ways maybe more important), I just think I have it all figured out (insert the medal part in…).

I wonder how many saints behave the same way toward God’s Instructions? I wonder if I do? Do you remember the first time God’s Word became important to you? How you listened to it all, couldn’t believe some wouldn’t, paid close attention? Have you lost that zeal?” Casually listening even making eye contact occasionally with the teacher/preacher to “assure” them you are listening?

If the Word of God has become a broken record to you, read it fresh. Renew your zeal for it. Remember it’s significance. It should never grow old in our hearing. In the event that many will consider the ultimate emergency (Judgment) it will be your only floatation device.