Saturday, November 15, 2014

A Supra-Lapse in Judgment

I had a flight the next morning and had to get up early. It was a very important international flight for a business trip. If I missed it, I'd be in big trouble. The tickets were expensive because of course the client waited until the very last possible minute before giving final approval.

So I set the alarm on my trusty old clock radio and went to bed. I deliberately stayed up a little too late so that I'd be tired for the flight and sleep on the plane. My alarm clock will...zzzzzz

I stretched lazily in bed. My alarm hadn't gone off yet, so I could just go right back to sleep. But I decided to look at the clock anyway and see what time it....OH CRAP!!! My alarm clock was blinking 12:00!!! I looked at my watch and it was a half hour after my alarm was supposed to go off.

I bolted out of bed, bolted to the bathroom, slammed on the shower, slammed on the hot water in the sink, tore out my razor and proceeded to tear my face apart and bleed all over the place. Great. Just what I need. Thanks God! Way to help me out here! 

Sigh. Sorry. I didn't mean it. Please forgive me.

Finally in the shower, slathering soap, slopping shampoo, frantically drying, brushing teeth...ugh...I haven't eaten yet. GAAARGH! 

Finally, FINALLY out the door, on my way to the car, checking my back pocket for my...I can't BELIEVE I left my wallet inside! God, you're KILLING me today!

Back outside, heading to car, checking for my...phone...ok...do I have my passport? Where's my passport? Why is it taking so long to get to the car? Wait - where'd I park? Stupid apartment complex! Why don't they ever have a tow truck come through and tow these cars that aren't supposed to be here!? Where's my car!? God...c'mon!

In the car, heading to the airport, driving along, trying not to be a maniac, failing miserably...awww, c'mon! Why are we stopping?! Wait, what's that...is that...oh great. An accident. Let me guess, someone died and the road is going to be closed for 3 hours. Thanks a lot God! I was already running late, now this? Move it!!!

Finally, FINALLY get to the airport...how much is it to park here?! Good thing I'm expensing this!

Looking for a parking spot...parking spot...God, please cut me a break. Oh! There's one! Nope, just one of those Smart cars. Couldn't see it around that SUV. Sigh....COME ON! There has GOT to be a space somewhere...God? Are you having a little fun with me today?

Running from the car to the terminal...CRAP! I forgot my...

Sweating...legs getting sore...running inside to the terminal. Finally inside. Long lines! Long lines to check in, long lines at security - I'll never make it! God!!!!!

Seething, gnashing teeth, glaring at people who dare to face me. Saying nothing to overworked, underpaid airport staff, just silently handing them whatever they ask for, deliberately contributing to their misery. Ignoring God. Talk to the hand.

Finally through security, sprinting. Legs on fire. Sweat gushing from every pore. Red faced. Out of breath. That's my name on the loudspeaker! People in the way. Move!

Finally to the gate. Finally! Just in time for the doors to close. GOOOOOD!!!!! How could you! How COULD you?! Why have you forsaken me!?

Collapsed, pressed against the window. Nothing better to do than watch the plane take off while I catch my breath.

Watching the plane taxi. There it goes. Slowly bumping along. I bet everyone inside is hot and miserable. I'm hot and miserable. This is going to cost a lot of money. Next flight isn't till tomorrow. The boss is gonna be mad. Seriously God? Seriously? Could you be any more cruel right now?

There goes my plane. Finally their turn. I don't even know why I'm watching this.

There it goes - accelerating, gaining speed. And the front wheel has left the ground...now the back wheels...

BAM!!! The plane explodes in a huge ball of fire!

Shock.

Disbelief.

People screaming.

Stunned.

Uh oh...where's a garbage can..... VOMITS

I wiped my mouth a little and returned to the window to watch the scene, my brain beginning to catch up and take in what's happened.

Suddenly, all my angry thoughts and accusations toward God came to mind. My eyes began to moisten. Tears began to flow.

I thought of Psalm 73 - I was like a brute beast before you....till I discerned their end.

I'm so sorry, Lord. Please forgive me. Not because I deserve it, but because of what Jesus did for me.

Humbled. Contrite. Repentant. Ashamed.

How wrongly I had interpreted...EVERYTHING!

Now ask yourself...put yourself in my shoes. How would you feel if that happened to you? Probably about like someone who's been saved by grace from the gaping jaws of hell should feel everyday.

Aren't we all rushing to get on that plane? Don't we think God is conspiring against us when obstacles arise in our path? Nothing particular comes to mind of course...certainly not having to walk away from the ministry.

That plane we're all so desperate to get on is about to explode. Maybe those obstacles in your path are God's mercy, not cruelty.

How would you feel if you had just missed your plane? Beyond frustrated. Beyond angry. Accusing God!

Now you watch your plane explode - the very plane you were trying so hard to get on. Now how do you feel? Humbled. Ashamed. Accusations instantly and irrevocably turn into gratitude. God is vindicated.

Now comes the really, really, really hard question. What did it take to humble the man in the story? What had to happen? His humility comes at a price. His own suffering, right? Yes. He was brought through difficult circumstances.

But there's something else going on here too that perhaps you're overlooking. What about the people on the plane?

To bring about his humble contrition, to turn angry accusations into repentant gratitude...

ALL. 

THOSE. 

PEOPLE. 

HAD. 

TO. 

DIE.


For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom,
    Cush and Seba in exchange for you.
Because you are precious in my eyes,
    and honored, and I love you,
I give men in return for you,
    peoples in exchange for your life.
Isaiah 43:3-4


This message has been brought to you by the Society for the Revival of Supralapsarianism in conjunction with a grant from Former Ministers Anonymous.

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