A Life Well-Lived, Part 20, The Way Home

Timothy came in from flying one day and seemed a little rattled. He said a pilot had broken in on the radio and said he didn’t know where he was (We’ll call him Lost Pilot). A fellow pilot responded and asked where he was headed. Lost Pilot didn’t know. Did he recognize any landmarks? No. What was his altitude? He didn’t know. It was clear from a few more questions that Lost Pilot was completely disoriented (Timothy learned later that he had suffered a stroke). As he continued the story, Timothy’s breath was shaky. He said that while listening to the situation unfold in real-time, he felt a sinking despair for the ill-fated pilot. This couldn’t end well. Eventually, someone in authority (I’m assuming Air Traffic Control) engaged the lost pilot and gained enough information to discern his general vicinity. Control Tower then asked if there were any pilots in that area who could try to locate him. Someone reported that he was within range and would check. He broke back in and said he believed he had spotted the lost pilot and gave his location.

Control explained to the lost pilot that someone was going to lead him to the airport and try to help him land the plane. Lost pilot was asked if he could see the “rescue plane” coming up beside him. Yes, he could. Did he think he could follow him to the airport? Yes, he thought he could. Control then asked if the lost pilot could change his radio frequency to a more private one, in order to free up the current one for the other pilots. Lost Pilot said he thought he could do that; and that was the last Timothy heard of the conversation. The other pilots who had been listening to the saga began to break in and share their thoughts with each other about the tragic situation. Timothy flew on in silence, assuming the worst. Sometime later, Control came back on the radio and reported, “For all who were following the ‘lost pilot’ conversation, we got him down. He is safe and getting needed medical attention.” We were all teary-eyed and relieved as Timothy shared the amazing ending to the story. Simply unbelievable!

Friends, this is the story of redemption – the “Christmas Story” if you will. All of humanity was lost, destined for destruction, and God sent Jesus, His only Son, to rescue us. But in the process of guiding us to the Father, Jesus had to pay a higher cost than that “rescue pilot” in the story. Jesus had to agree to die in order to bring us home. He knew when He took the assignment and came to earth, it would cost Him His life. “For Christ also suffered once for sins, that He might bring us to God…” (1 Peter 3:18) If you are not already following Him, He is looking for you. “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) Following Christ is different from simply believing He exists. “Even the demons believe and tremble.” (James 2:19) Following involves TRUSTING him with your life.

Will you make the decision to follow Him? It’s the only way home. “Jesus said…, ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man comes to the Father, but by Me.’”

Time is running out.