Times are stressful as it is for many people. People everywhere are
on edge wondering what will happen next in America and where it will
happen. Since the 9/11, and the ongoing war in Iraq everyone is being
extremely cautious. The airlines have taken the biggest hit of all,
both financially and security wise. Millions have stopped traveling
by air. Fear has become the most prominent word in people's minds and
vocabulary.
Between the color code alert system that our government has come up
with to warn us of the danger level, and the 'end of the world is here'
message of organized religion, many have not only turned religious out
of fear, but they have also sought anxiety reducing prescribed medication
to calm their fears. And just when one thinks that the threat of terrorism
has somewhat diminished, along comes a "Flying Nun," or should
I say a "Flying Religious Nut Pilot" working for American
Airlines, leaving the cockpit and going before the passengers asking:
"How many of you are Christians?"
According to the news report, several people raised their hands, and
those who did not raised their hands were told by the pilot: "You
all must be crazy flying on this airplane". Now, imagine for a
minute what might have been going through the minds of passengers when
the pilot of the plane said what he said at who knows how many feet
up in the air. Here you are, perhaps stressed out enough as it is, and
hoping for a safe and on time flight to reach your final destination.
The flight attendant's have greeted you with a smile when you first
boarded the plane.
Everything has gone smooth so far. You received the flight attendant's
safety briefing. The take off was nice and smooth. No sign of any problems.
You sit back as the flight smoothly continues its course. You pick up
a magazine to read, or maybe put on your radio headset to listen to
smooth relaxing music. You are served a snack, and a drink, and at 32,000
thousand feet everything looks bright and sunny. There are children
on board, some passengers are snoozing and things overall look pretty
good.
Then all of a sudden "Preaching Pilot," as he was labeled
by the media, comes out of his cockpit, picks up the intercom and ruins
your entire peaceful trip by asking: "How a many of you are Christians?"
Then, follows up his question by telling those who did not acknowledged
his question with a showing of hands, by saying to them: "You are
all crazy flying on this plane". Now, what's a person to think?
Friends, I don't know if this 'Preaching Pilot' was suffering from long
term high altitude, or perhaps for the lack of down to earth oxygen,
or maybe he saw an angel in the clouds.
With all of the terrorist warnings, and the fact that the Airlines
are the one's most likely to be used again for another terrorist attack,
out of all people, an Airline Pilot who probably found religion, decides
to scare the wits out of people. According to one of the many passengers
that were interviewed on television after the plane reached its final
destination, the woman said: "No one knew what to make of the incident.
Some feared that the Pilot was a terrorist dressed in uniform. Others
were thinking that perhaps he was going to crash land the airplane because
of the people who did not raise their hands.
Talk about high anxiety? Even some of the professing Christians were
said to be scared. I probably would be asking myself, who is manning
the plane while this fruit cake is out here scaring the wits out of
people with his so called legalistic crap? Now, it is not clearly known
what type of discipline American Airlines will be taking against this
"Preaching Pilot," but I am more than certain that the man
will be seen by many religious organizations as a bold Christian who
is not afraid to tell it like it is. I can almost see him now as a guest
speaker on CBN, TBN, and what have you.
They probably make the pilot a hero and write a book about him. I wouldn't
be surprised if he becomes a world traveling preacher sharing how he
had the guts and courage to stand up for Jesus and tell unbelievers
that they are crazy flying on an airplane without knowing Jesus. Friends,
do you see what religion can do to the mind? I was once one of this
fruit cakes, and some still think that I am for preaching grace apart
from the works of the law.
I believe that when Jesus said in John chapter 10 about men climbing
up another way, how they are both a thief and a liar, and about broad
is the way and narrow is the gate and few be that will find it, He wasn't
talking about unbelievers. He was talking about religious people. Narrow-minded,
and bias Christians who believe that this salvation of God is only for
those who have confessed Jesus as Lord and Savior. If anything, it has
been organized religion who have been climbed up another way, making
them both thieves and liars. They have taken the broad way, and missed
the narrow gate of grace.
Besides, when we all get on a plane, we all go up and we all come down.
We are all in the same boat. You might be riding first class, but if
the plane crashes, first class is not going to save you no more than
those riding coach. When it comes to take off and landing, no one is
better than the other. The same can be said of God's salvation. When
He saved the whole world, He saved them because all were in the same
stinking, sinking boat. Unfortunately, people like the "Flying
Nut" do not understand grace because they continue, like a thief
and a liar, attempt to earn God's love and grace through their filthy
works of self-righteousness.
Grace N Peace
Eddie