5 Sep

Now That I Have Your Attention…

posted by Daniel Blackaby

I loathe airplanes. This in no way stems from a “fear of flying” or any other such thing, but rather to the inevitable massacre of my “personal bubble.” Without fail, I end up sitting in row 153, middle seat, between Buddha and Santa Claus (who might as well pay half of my seat ticket). Last summer, staring a nine-hour return flight from England in the face, I vowed to have an enjoyable and relaxing trip … but then my sister Carrie plopped down beside me.

The older modeled plane, yet to install personal TVs in the seat in front of each passenger, merely provided a large “community TV” mounted in front. I settled into my row one aisle seat. Reaching up, I adjusted my AC to gently bathe me in cool air. Life is good …

An hour later, while peacefully enjoying the in-flight movie, something happened. Without warning, Carrie’s arm burst through my “bubble,” entering enemy territory, and closed my AC. “I’m cold Dan; keep it off … ”Oh no she doesn’t! Refusing to be pushed around by my little sister, I defiantly turned it back on … all-out war erupted.

Her left hand shot out like a missile, only to be intercepted by my right. Her right hand flanked east to reinforce, but was quickly thwarted, as my left hand sneak attacked from above. Realizing her troops were losing ground, Carrie shamelessly tossed out the “Rules of War” and sunk in her nails!

Wincing, I released a desperate battle cry: “Whatever the cost may be! We shall fight on the beaches! We shall fight in the hills! … ”

The sound of skin slapping skin echoed throughout the plane as I brought my artillery down upon her hands. Her troops entered a full-blown retreat. Victory is within my grasp! Then I felt a rough tap on my shoulder.

I turned to face a gruff-looking man (undoubtedly flying to a Hell’s Angels convention). “Do you mind!?” he barked out.

Gulping, we looked behind us into the faces of dozens of unimpressed passengers who had just had the film’s climax interrupted by our hands duelling directly in front of the TV screen.

Whether we are always aware or not, Christians live in a world where our every action is kept under careful surveillance. The world anxiously waits for every mistake or poor choice we commit, using those moments to unjustly discredit our God.

If my own life is an indication, there’s no way of avoiding mistakes. It’s just human nature. The Bible says, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). I used to be angry about this issue. I hated being unfairly pounced on for every failure.

Lately, however, God has been revealing this to me in new light. The world is already watching my every move; I don’t need flashing lights or to beg for attention. What an amazing opportunity to let the difference of Christ shine through my life for them to witness! I encourage you to not merely live in the fear of “blowing it,” but to allow your life to be a powerful witness to our living God, because you never know who might be watching. Jesus urged: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16).

Filed in: Evangelism, Humility