Monday, August 10, 1998
Monday, August 10, 1998
My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal
life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has
given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father's hand. (John
10:27-29
NRSV)
A new kind of modern airplane was on an experimental flight. It was full of reporters and
journalists. A few minutes after the takeoff the captain's voice was heard from the loudspeakers:
"I'm delighted to be your pilot, and the captain of this airplane on its first historical flight. I can
tell you that the flight is going well. Nevertheless, I still have to tell you about a minor
inconvenience that has occurred. The passengers that are sitting on the right side can, if they look
through the window, see that the closest engine is slightly vibrating. That shouldn't worry you,
because there are four engines, so you can feel perfectly safe. And, we are at the unbelievable
altitude of 62,000 feet, flying at a speed of 1,050 mph as planned . . . But, if you're looking at
that engine, maybe you can notice that the second engine is glowing, or more precisely one could
say that it's burning. That shouldn't worry you either, since there are two more engines on the left
side, and the altitude and speed are still as planned.
"Those of you that are sitting on the left side shouldn't worry if you notice that one engine that is
supposed to be on the left side has been missing for about ten minutes. But, I must ask for your
attention of one thing that seems to be a little more serious. Along the aisle, all the way through
the plane, a crack has appeared. Some of you are, I suppose, looking through the crack and
seeing the waves of the Atlantic. Those of you that have very good eyes can notice a small life
boat on those waves that has been thrown out of the plane. Well, ladies and gentlemen, your
captain is speaking from that life boat."
There are some situations, I suppose, about which we shouldn't even joke. And yet when I first
heard that little piece of humor, I couldn't help thinking how descriptive it is of so many people's
lives. Their plane is falling apart and they fear their captain is as remote as the one on that raft in
the Atlantic 62,000 feet below.
If that is your situation, I suggest you reread Jesus' words in our scripture reading today, because
God is greater.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, be great in my life today. Amen.
Ronald Newhouse, Texas, USA