FLYING

He pulled out a large, black Bible, a beautifully gold tabbed one, and grabbed a pen. I watched from a row behind and to the left of him. Twice on our flight from Philadelphia to Atlanta, he pulled out his Bible and read—not just a cursory reading, I could tell he was intent on what he was studying. He wore neatly pressed tan slacks and a polo shirt—I would guess by his age he is in his fifties.

I talked to the man sitting next to me for quite some time. He works for a petroleum company based in Santiago, Chile. He and his wife have two boys aged eleven and ten that are polar opposites. He graduated from a college in Boston and is a big Red Sox baseball fan. He was dressed in fatigue-patterned shorts and wore a casual shirt. I liked his easygoing demeanor and we had fun chatting. I would guess he is in his mid thirties but his boyish looks made him look much younger. He ordered an alcoholic drink, pulled out his laptop and went to work as we winged our way south.

Two very different men by age, dress, and probably by conviction bound for the same city but what kind of an eternity? When I got off the plane, I caught up to the Bible reader. I put my hand on his shoulder and said, “You have to tell me your name?” He looked startled, pulled back from me and asked, “Why?” I told him I was impressed with his reading material on the plane. He broke into a grin and said, “Rick.” I told him my name and gave him my First Cause business card and told him I would enjoy praying for him, and that I lived near, Portland, Oregon. He thanked me and found his own card and handed it to me. He shared that he and his wife would be in Portland in a week. I hope he calls me. I noticed from his card that he is the CEO of a company located in Stone Mountain, Georgia.

On my next flight, I pulled out my Bible—thankful for Rick’s example.

Meditation

Ephesians 3:7,11,12—I was made a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of His power . . . This is according to the purpose of the ages, which He made in the Messiah, Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness, access, and confidence through faith in Him.

I’m flying. The words in my headphones resonate to my heart. “I’ll never know how much it cost to see Your Son upon that cross . . . but here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, here I am to say that You’re my God.”* I’m flying. Lord, I’m surrounded by men and women, little children crying, flight attendants working in the cramped space of a craft flying 35,000 feet above the earth, each one precious in Your sight. But how many of them know You? Please help me to be Your choice ambassador. Help me to encourage others. Let the joy in my heart overflow upon some parched soul. Let me love You so passionately that I radiate Your presence. You made the now, help me to live it rightly. I’m flying.

Inspiration

Lifestyle evangelism is not an attempt to decorate and shine the pot; folks need to see the treasure, not the container. Only a broken container lets the radiance of the treasure penetrate the darkness.—Joseph Aldrich in Gentle Persuasion

*Here I am to Worship written by Tim Hughes