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Short Story: Why This?

traveling

Sammy wiggled uncomfortably on the seat next to his dad. He normally spent his afternoon playing and having fun. Now he was being forced to sit in this tiny seat. He didn’t like this at all.

He cried. He wiggled. He pulled on his dad’s shirt, begging him to get him off this terrible thing he heard his dad call an airplane. He tried to look out the window, but all he saw was darkness. Night had already fallen.

Then the airplane began to move. Sammy clung to his dad, terrified. Why was everything moving? What was happening? He cried even louder. Would somebody please make this all end?

While the airplane straightened out a little, the ride continued. Sammy felt trapped. He wanted to race somewhere, anywhere. But he couldn’t.

Sammy’s father kept trying to comfort, explain, and get Sammy to enjoy the things he’d brought for Sammy to do, but Sammy didn’t listen to his father. He refused to take his mind of the discomfort he felt. He began to wonder if his dad really loved him. If he did, wouldn’t he get him out of this terrible situation?

After what felt like forever but was really only a short time, the airplane again tilted terribly. Sammy screamed as loud as he could. Soon, though, the airplane landed and Sammy found himself walking down the aisle and off the airplane at last.

He suddenly found himself in a wonderful new place surrounded by wonderful people and having a wonderful time. He quickly forgot all about the terrible airplane. He’d discovered what his father had known (and tried to tell him) all along: that the destination was worth the journey.

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV)

Rewire

Why this? Why Now? Why me? They’re questions we all ask at one time or another. Could it be that if we rewire our thinking about the why’s, we’ll find a glimpse into the blessing God longs to bring in the challenge?

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Short Story: No Destination?

airport-1230017“Our next story is from Matt, who’s reporting from World Airport, where an unheard of phenomenon is occurring. Matt, what’s going on?”

The newscast cut over to Matt, who stood in the middle of a bustling airport terminal. Matt’s face instantly told the viewer that whatever he was about to report was quite unusual. “Well, Dan, I’ve been interviewing passengers at the airport, and no one seems to know where they’re traveling.”

Dan raised his eyebrows, incredulous. “What do you mean? Everyone knows where they’re traveling. Why else would they be traveling?”

Matt shook his head. “I know it’s hard to fathom, but that’s exactly the issue. Here, I’ll interview someone so you can hear it for yourself. Excuse me, Sir, do you have a minute for a few questions?”

The gentleman stopped and gave Matt his attention. “Sure, so long as it’s brief.”

Matt nodded. “It will be. I was just wondering if you could tell our viewers your final destination.”

“My final destination?” the man raised her eyebrows. “Well, I don’t typically think much about that. I’m just enjoying the present, you know. I’m not really sure where I’ll end up. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to run.”

“See what I mean?” Matt narrated, looking at the camera again.

“Surely some passengers have thought about their destination, at least?” Dan queried.

Matt nodded. “Oh, yes, some have. But they seem under a delusion about how to arrive there. Here, let me interview someone else. Excuse me, Ma’am,” Matt asked a lady walking by. “What’s your final destination?”

“Oh, I hope I’ll end up in Paradise,” the woman replied with a smile.

“Do you have a ticket?” Matt prodded.

“A ticket?” The woman thought for a moment. “No, but I try to be a good person. I’m a whole lot better than most folks. I’m sure they’ll let me on the plane.” The woman smiled.

On the other end of the newscast, Dan’s face dropped. Did he just hear that correctly?

“See what I mean?” Matt asked after the woman had walked away. “No one seems to grasp the fact that you need a ticket to get on a plane. People here complain a lot about the airport accommodations as if the journey itself was all there was to consider. It’s really strange, Dan. Here, let me try this gentleman. He looks a lot more serious than some of the others.”

“Excuse me, Sir, what’s your ultimate destination?”

The man paused. “I hope I’ll end up in Paradise,” he replied.

“You hope?”

The man nodded. “No one can know for sure if the airline will take their ticket. But I’ve worked hard to make mine and keep it clean, so I’m hopeful.”

Matt looked at the homemade ticket the man held. “Did it occur to you that perhaps you have to get a ticket from the airline, and that any ticket not issued by them won’t get you on board?”

The man shook his head. “No, no, that’s so narrow-minded. Any well-done ticket will be accepted. You can bring yours from the airline, and I’ll bring mine. They’re all the same in the end. Now if you’ll excuse me…”

Matt sighed, turning back to the camera and explaining more details. “I went to the ticket counter a few minutes ago. They’re offering free tickets to any who want them. But most people seem either caught up in the moment and not worrying about their final destination, or else confident they’ll get on board without an official ticket. It’s a strange, terrible delusion, Dan. Even worse, this airport is going to be destroyed soon. These people have got to get on a plane out of here or–”

Matt’s voice cut off, emotion overcoming him.

Dan nodded, trying hard to keep his composure. “Do what you can to warn people, Matt. Maybe some will get a real ticket while they still can.”

*******

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Corinthians 4:4

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23