May 2010

Spiritual ‘Mayday!’

In our travels, my wife and I often get asked the question, “Where do you live?” My quick response is usually, “The exit row of Southwest Airlines.”

It’s almost comical. Every time we sit there, I’ll try to make a quick phone call and then run out of time before the flight attendant comes by to ask if we’re willing to help other passengers exit the plane in an emergency situation. As exit row occupants, that is our responsibility, and the attendants must have our verbal “yes.”

What I find truly interesting is that, no matter how many times we hear these instructions, we’re always given slightly different variations of what we are expected to do. One flight attendant will ask us to open the door in a certain manner, while another will tell us to assist the passengers in a specific way. But even with all the different details, one thing remains the same: It is our responsibility to help others to safety. Thankfully we haven’t had to open that exit door yet, but I always pray that, if the day comes, I’ll be prepared.

One phrase commonly associated with emergencies like these is, “Mayday! Mayday!” Well, in a similar way, many top theological thinkers are currently issuing a spiritual “Mayday!” What they mean is they believe the return of Jesus Christ is near. If that is true, we need to ask ourselves if we are prepared. Even further, are we willing to help those around us get to eternal safety in Heaven?

“Even if trusting Jesus Christ can seem like an intimidating leap of faith, isn’t it worth it to make it out alive?”

I remember a top Christian speaker once sharing his own in-flight emergency experience. He said he’d been on an airplane once when the pilot had been forced to instruct the passengers to fasten their seatbelts and prepare for a crash landing. Immediately, everyone onboard went silent, and a sense of fear descended. Within moments, however, passengers began yelling for the flight attendants to bring them more drinks.

That’s such a perfect analogy for many real-life “Mayday!” situations. We’re so quick to turn to temporary solutions in order to cope with trouble, but we aren’t willing to find a legitimate way out. As Christians, we know that Jesus Christ offers our only exit door to safety, but so many of us would rather sit on
the plane and cling to our seats instead of taking the only step that will actually save us.

Here’s a question: Even if trusting Jesus Christ can seem like an intimidating leap of faith, isn’t it worth it to make it  out alive? And by “alive,” I’m talking about true, eternal life, which can only be found through faith in Him.

Personally, I hope you agree with me that, while there are many temporary solutions, the only permanent answer to all of our problems is Jesus Christ. The question then becomes, when that final day arrives and Christ does return, will we know Him? If we do, then what are we doing now to help others prepare for that “Mayday!” moment?

None of us can be certain of God’s schedule for the end times. The Bible says in Matthew 24:36 that only God the Father knows the day when Christ will return. In the meantime, we just need to keep seeking the Lord wholeheartedly, sharing the truth with those who don’t know Him, and waiting expectantly.

The day is coming. So, ask yourself this: If that “Mayday!” would turn out to be a day this May, would you be ready?

Model the Master,
Les Steckel
FCA President/CEO