Knowing What Is Best For Christ

Posted by on April 12, 1998 under Bulletin Articles

One of my biggest problems is taking myself too seriously. I never realized I did that (and still don’t). There are times when, with every good intention, I try to think for Christ and decide for God. I am so serious, so focused, so committed that I am certain that I know what is best for Christ, know what is best for the congregation, and know specifically what must happen if God’s will is to be accomplished.

I hope God is amused instead of angered. Personally, I suspect God is amused at us a lot. He used a cross to establish His eternal kingdom 2000 years ago. He did so without consulting us humans. Good thing! We would have told Him it wouldn’t work! And He has maintained that kingdom for 2000 years. God must have a sense of humor to tolerate us when we are determined to rescue the church when He protects it.

Today I received excerpts from Jonathan Lee’s “Reservations of an Airline Agent” published in The Washington Post. Jonathan’s experience (over 130,000 conversations) hilariously illustrate people who are “certain” when they should not be.

There was the man in Minneapolis who did not know there was more than one city in the South (“wherever the South is”); the man in Dallas who tried to pay for his ticket by sticking quarters in the pay phone he used; the man who asked if the flight flew to exit 35 on the New Jersey Turnpike; the woman who wanted to know if the airline flew to area code 304; and the woman who wanted to know why she had to change clothes on the flight from Chicago to Washington.

My favorite: a woman wanted to fly to Hippopotamus, NY. When told there was no such city, she became irate declaring that it was a big city with a big airport. When asked if it was near Albany, Syracuse, or Buffalo, she exclaimed, “Buffalo! I knew it was a big animal!”

No, I did not laugh at the people. I laughed at me. I remembered all the times that I was so certain that I knew or was so certain about what had to happen. Thank you, Lord, for not requiring us to relive our pasts! The embarrassment would overwhelm us!

Something fantastic happened Sunday night! Two people prepared for eternity! Cyndi Glidewell, and her daughter, Corey Wakefield, joined Jesus in his crucifixion and resurrection by being baptized. They gave Jesus their lives and their sins, and Jesus forgave them and made them his daughters. That’s wonderful! That is what everything we do is about! May we help them mature in Christ as they help us.