By Orlando Cabrera:
A couple of weeks ago I was flying home from Denver, Colorado and like most people, I either read, work, sleep or enjoy some in-flight entertainment. On this particular flight I decided to watch a movie, and just as I was really getting into it, a voice came over the intercom, “Ladies and gentlemen please we’re going to prepare for arrival. At this time we are going to ask that you turn off your electronic devices and return your seats and tray tables to their upright and locked positions.”
And just like that, the movie shut off. Now I will never know how it ends.
Ok, yes, I should have made the decision to start the movie sooner, and it’s not that big of deal. I can find it again at Redbox or catch it on Netflix; all of that is true. But this experience started me thinking about this spiritual journey of faith.
Unlike a movie, where we are passive observers, God invites us into His narrative. A narrative that He has written before the foundations of the world. He invites us into a journey, a life, a relationship that He has authored, that He has dominion over and that He has already determined how it will end.
But if we’re being honest, even as Christians we want to know how each scene and chapter will end. What is the outcome? Just because we know that the Christian life culminates in glory doesn’t mean that it won’t get overshadowed by difficult moments we are living in right now. And that makes sense. The problem comes when we fail to enjoy the journey, or when we wait to thank God once we get to end of whatever it is we are going through. Yes, I know how it all ultimately ends, but I also find myself worrying and waiting to see how every chapter unfolds. This leads me away from the practice of His presence -of living into each moment with eyes wide open to see what God is doing right now and hearts ready to receive what He has for us today. Jesus said that eternal life was not just something that was promised and was coming in the future to those who trusted in Him for salvation. He stated that it was a relationship to be enjoyed right now in real time… ”And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” - John 17:3
So here’s a simple challenge…
#1. Ask God to give you eyes to see His activity and personal care. Daily. Make it a habitual practice to thank God and celebrate His faithfulness. Daily. Praise Him even today in the midst of what may seem like an unfinished story, because you can confidently declare your Father in Heaven is faithful and His mercies are new every day.
#2. Maximize each day. I know that sounds so secular, but believe me, it’s not. The Bible has a lot to say about this day and “THAT DAY.” We serve a missio dei God; a God who is on mission and each day that He grants us life is an important day. It’s a day that’s not to be wasted, but another opportunity to take another step with intentionality towards communion with Him, service to others and participation in His redemptive mission. God doesn’t want us to take our days for granted… ”yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” - James 4:14 The better and more faithful practice for us as children of God is to heed and join in the prayer of Moses from Psalm 90:12 “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”
So start that movie early on your next flight. But whether you get to see it all the way through or not, remember to enjoy the flight and don’t lose sight that the destination for you, dearly beloved in Christ, is set. And there is much to see, experience, walk in, and enjoy through this journey.