Flying Away — For Real!
October 26, 2009
You may have heard about the Colorado family members who had the scare of their lives, recently. It seemed the father constructed a large helium balloon designed for human transport. After launching the craft for a “test run,” they discovered their youngest son was missing and, presumably, hundreds of feet above the earth in the balloon! After a frantic 9-1-1 call and massive search and rescue effort, the boy was found safe and sound at home. In a world too often marred by tragedy, this family’s good fortune caused the nation to breathe a collective sigh of relief. Unfortunately, relief became rage when officials discovered that the phone call was a lie. The Heene family concocted the entire adventure as a publicity stunt, and the parents are now facing criminal charges. What can we say to this, West Broad and friends? Well, Falcon’s (the boy’s name) flight may have been a lie, but a day is coming when billions of people really will fly away (1 Thess. 4:16-17)! There will be no need for a 9-1-1 call, because rescue will have already been achieved (Col. 1:13-14). But while many will fly away to glory, many others will find themselves in a place of doom (Lk. 16:22-23; Jn. 5:28-29; Rev. 21:8). Think about it honestly — where do you stand right now, friend? Are you safe in Christ Jesus, ready to go with him when he returns? Or have you fallen victim to the devil’s deceptive hoax? Have you answered Satan’s 9-1-1 call only to find yourself running around “chasing empty vessels” (Eph. 5:5-6)? If you have, know that there is hope for you, me, and everyone else today. Christ died so you could live confidently and die victoriously (2 Cor. 5:8). But the choice is yours. You can listen to the lie and fly away to pain, or you can rest in Jesus and “enjoy the ride” in this life and the one to come. Think about it, friend: how will you travel? —JLNJR
