Covenant Church

A flight attendant used the intercom system to ventilate feelings toward a passenger, pulled an emergency hatch, took a couple of beers and slid down the shoot running to get away from security. Within days more than 100,000 people signed up on the internet to support the flight attendant.

A few thoughts:

Who is this man?

I do not know him.

His wife is on TV saying they are not together and that he is following an alternative lifestyle.

What is his record as a flight attendant?

Has he had past episodes of sudden and erratic behavior?

Does he live a double life, i.e., one person at work and another at home?

Is his life balanced?

Is God part of his life, or has God been part of his life in a Christ-like manner?

Suppose he was a God-fearing, tax-paying citizen. Suppose he was the epitome of a gentleman. Suppose that he privately or publicly has never before exhibited similar episodal behavior so out of character. If this is true it must be assumed that esoteric circumstances pushed him to the limit and over the edge.

If he were a mature, seasoned child of God filled with the Holy Spirit it may be assumed that the Holy Spirit would have helped him in preparation for an hour of trial. If this is true, he is responsible before God as well as man for having acted irrationally and irresponsibly. If we rationalize and justify such failures we excuse ourselves to act irrationally and without responsibility when tempted and pressed.

Let us suppose that our character before the Lord does prepare us for the sudden and unpredictable moments that tempt us to act irrationally. Suppose that abiding in Christ does indeed prepare us to act in the character of Christ when we are suddenly faced with hell's bombardment. Suppose that God does not expect us to be all wise and all knowing.

Suppose God only expects us to do justly, love mercy and walk uprightly before the Lord (Micah 6:8). Suppose it is the Holy Spirit's task to equip us in the hour of specific trial that exceeds our human preparation.

My Friend, ours is a day of self-justification. The carnal man seeks that which is good for the carnal man. Advice and counsel are not desired. Freedom is the right to choose one's own actions in preference to responsibility. Aaron faced this attitude with the people of Israel while Moses was with God on Mt. Sinai. When Moses saw the cavorting and dancing of the people with an idol he asked Aaron the High Priest how it had gotten so out of hand. Aaron told Moses that the only way he could control the people was to let them do what they wanted to do.

I fear that a flight attendant jumping out the emergency door with a couple of beers is symbolic of what many are doing today. Folks with nerves on edge and SELF engaged with cruise control ignore or choose not to seek counsel.

As a people of God we are charged to walk circumspectly. This means we are to walk balanced. We are to maintain integrity within the Body, protect those who are our Brothers and Sisters, and seek with godly diligence to insure that all we do, all we say, and every action exalts Jesus Christ.

We must be careful when faced with emergency doors and escape hatches in our lives. The temptation to bail out could cost us more than we are willing to pay.

Much love...