This morning I sit in the safety of a warm living room smelling brewed coffee, talking with the Lord about the weekend and drawing application points from the news.
1. A jet that is capable of transporting people a mile in the air at 8 to10 times the speed of traffic was brought down by… well… the birds. Thrust, power, technology, g-forces, and top notch aerodynamics – all brought down by a bunch of feathers with wings.
It's really astounding how fragile life is. No matter how super strong we are the right microscopic virus can put us in the hospital. Hurricanes level mansions and shacks.
This shouldn't produce fear. This truth should bring about profound respect and awe.
The other side of eternity is closer than I think.
2. The pilot has been called a hero repeatedly. All indications are that he was very skillful and calm, even making sure everyone was off the plane before he got off. It is not my intent in any way, shape, or form to demote him, but I wish we were more careful with that title. Selflessness, expertise and training saved the lives of those on that plane. I'd love to meet this guy. Someone who saves lives is worth meeting. Someone who saves lives is worth meeting. Someone who saves lives is… There's a great spiritual application here – have you made it already?
3. At the bottom of the screen there are a bunch of cancellations of schools that keep scrolling by. The inauguration of President Elect Obama is a big story. I'm tired of hearing the words "bail out."
The other news stories are there, but they don't seem as big right now. About a year ago everything was about border control. A few months ago everything was about gas prices. The last few days everything has been about the weather.
A new headline is waiting around the corner of tomorrow and will impact us in a way that pushes current issues to the side. After a couple of days of saturation news about flight 1549 won't even be a thought.
I wish we could be more aware of what really lasts. If only we knew a story that would last longer than prices, corporate mismanagement, illegal aliens, and policy adjustments. If only…
4. The seat really can be a flotation device! So when they go through the memorized speech before your flight about oxygen masks, exits, and the cushion you're sitting on – it's really true!
Just because I may have heard something a bazillion times doesn't make it less true. I think next time I take a flight I might actually make eye contact with the person giving the preflight speech and listen.
Some things need to be stated because of their value not because of their novelty.
Oh… I think there's another good application there for a preacher too.
5. The stories of how people demonstrated control and care for others is really interesting. The co-pilot that gave the shirt off his back to someone who had been in the freezing water to keep them warm - the lady who hated flying that helped calm people down - the boats that hurried to pull people to safety….
People really do care about other people. I wonder what would happen in the church if people really went out of their way to rescue other people. What if the church responded quickly, effectively, and passionately because they believed that who they were reaching for really needed our hand.
6. There are photos of the plane "floating/sinking" with the passengers standing on the wings. I'm sure you've seen them. If not they are probably the front page of your paper today.
Our bubbles of privacy and personal space disappear when it really matters. The people who complained in their minds because the seats were too close or the person next to them took the mini arm rest were soon sardined on the wings of a jet temporarily turned raft. My guess is no one was whining about "personal space."
When it's a matter of life and death your priorities change.
I've learned a lot from the news this morning.
Warmth,
Pastor Dave
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