Daily Devotional – 9/16/13 “Be ready for your flight”

On Saturday, I had the chance to hear the new Pastor of our home church speak. Unfortunately, it was at the funeral of one of the members but he said something that stuck with me. His particular scripture came from 2 Timothy 4:6-8 which says, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” See, a eulogy isn’t about the person who has died but it is about those of us who are still alive because we all have to die in this life in order to live again. Oh but in order to get to the living again part, you have to be ready for your flight. Yea; you have to already have your ticket, your affairs in order and then you have to be on time to catch it. I know you’re wondering how you do this but let me tell you.

First, you have to confess your belief in God, believe with your heart that He is who He say He is, be baptized and then willingly work for Him (this is getting prepared to pick up your ticket). Then you have to live a life that’s pleasing to God by running your race yet never losing faith even when you can’t see the finish line (this is going to get your ticket). Then, as you run your race and you come upon the obstacles that slow you down, those pits that knock you down, enemies who are standing by wishing you’d fail, friends who hand you hateraide in a water cup and family that won’t show up because they are secretly jealous; yet you keep running (that’s making it to the ticket counter). Then when it feels like your legs can no longer carry you but you still run, your body is about to give out on you but you still hang in there, it feels like you have no more breath in your lungs but you continue to breath and you’re stumbling but not quitting (that’s paying for your ticket). And then when it’s all over with, when you’ve lived a life that gives the dash between your birth date and death date purpose and when you’ve done all that you know you can do; you finally get your ticket with your name spelled out and stamped across it “Paid in Full” and destination, “Home.” Oh, when you’ve asked for forgiveness for the sins you’ve committed and then stop committing those same sins; you’re preparing for your flight. When you praise God in the midst of your pain, sickness or disease, being talked about, smile when you’re being chastised for your beliefs, shout even when you’re being picked on because of your gifts and laughed at because of your anointing; you’re preparing for your flight. When you’ve forgiven and forgotten about the things that hurt you; you’re preparing for your flight. When you never lose faith, you’re preparing for your flight. When you can boldly say, talk about me as much as you please because the more you talk, the more I’ll bend my knees; you’re preparing for your flight. Don’t get caught up at security because you haven’t cleaned the mess out your pockets. Don’t get caught up at the ticket counter because your ticket can’t be found and don’t get left behind because you got too much weight on your shoulders to board the flight. Be ready for your flight when the time comes.