I spent 12 years worth of Sundays in the pews of my grandfather’s church. Most of those Sundays were spent playing tic tac toe on tithing cards or finding new ways to pick on my little brother, but my grandpa, Papa, always had a way of telling little stories in his sermons, stories that even my little ears could listen to, understand, and remember. And as the years have come and gone I’ve distinctly and consistently held tight to one of these stories. I couldn’t tell you the scripture read or any depth of the interpretation but I remember the just. If you’ve ever flown, preceding your landing, you’ve probably listened to your flight attendant say something along the lines of “Thank you for flying American Airlines, we hope you enjoy your stay in RDU or wherever your final destination may be.” Final destination, what an exciting and hopeful concept. That day Papa talked about the hope that comes in a promised final destination, a final destination far better than any place any airplane could ever take us, a final destination far greater than anything of this earth and what a joyful promise that is to live in.
In a couple months (just over 2 to be exact) I’ll be boarding a plane headed towards South Africa. I’d like to think as we get off that plane it will be easy for others to tell if we’ve arrived at our “final destination”. Shoot if we step into the African heat in parkas and snow boots or kilts and clogs, I think people would notice we hadn’t quite reached our point of interest. But what I wonder is if the way I clothe myself in His truth will make as big of a statement as the way I physically clothe myself. Will others see me clothed in kindness, forgiveness, selflessness, and faithfulness as easily as they see my shorts and t-shirt? Does the way I live show others the joy of where my true final destination will be? Do the ways I act and speak show the promise of the brightest hope I could ever hold?
As great as my final destination will be, greater still will it be when I can stand amongst an infinite number of my brothers and sisters who know the same hope and promise in Christ that I know. Greater still will it be if I can rejoice at the gates with more souls than I can ever imagine, souls that know the goodness of our Father. Greater still will it be if my sweet Lord uses my broken vessel to show those around me the good news of great joy. Greater still will it be to dance in the promised land with my friends, my neighbors, my family, and yes even strangers. My hope and prayer is that my life would show the promise of my final destination and that when I step off that plane and every moment between here, then, and forever, that others would see where I’m really going, not a place of this earth, but a final destination beyond comprehension or imagination.
Matthew 19:16-17
“And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?” And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
