In 2 Thessalonians, Paul talks about the second coming and how the dead in Christ will rise first and then we who remain will be caught up into the air to join them and Jesus to reign with Him forever. I am really looking forward to that day. But I would warn any of you not to stand too close to me on that day. I may choke you. Let me explain.
My mother loves Ferris wheels. Down through the years she has told the
family of the time she took me on my first ride on one. We lived in Austin, Texas, at the time; I was about three years old. From the moment the chair began to move until we got off, I clung to her neck for dear life. Nearly choked her, I did. I didn’t like my feet being off the ground.
About two years later we were living in Belgrade, Montana. Our neighbors had several blue spruces in which some Brewer’s Blackbirds had built nests. One nest was at about the height of my mother’s head. She thought she would share the sight with her boys by lifting them up to peer into the nest, one at a time. My older brother got his chance. Then it was my turn. She lifted me up, and I nearly choked her again. I couldn’t feel anything under my feet. Personally, I think that if our Creator had intended us to be peering into birds’ nests, He would have had them all build their nests on the ground.
My mother loves Ferris wheels. Down through the years she has told the
family of the time she took me on my first ride on one. We lived in Austin, Texas, at the time; I was about three years old. From the moment the chair began to move until we got off, I clung to her neck for dear life. Nearly choked her, I did. I didn’t like my feet being off the ground.About two years later we were living in Belgrade, Montana. Our neighbors had several blue spruces in which some Brewer’s Blackbirds had built nests. One nest was at about the height of my mother’s head. She thought she would share the sight with her boys by lifting them up to peer into the nest, one at a time. My older brother got his chance. Then it was my turn. She lifted me up, and I nearly choked her again. I couldn’t feel anything under my feet. Personally, I think that if our Creator had intended us to be peering into birds’ nests, He would have had them all build their nests on the ground.
Shortly before this my mother, a WWII widow remarried. That is another story to be shared at some later time. My adopted-father-to-be happened to have his private pilot’s license. For my fourth birthday, about a month before they married, he took me, my mother and older brother for a flight around the greater Bozeman, Montana area. I don’t recall being upset by flying. It is possible I was so intrigued by all the gadgets in the plane that I didn’t notice what wasn’t outside the plane.As I’ve grown older, my dislike for heights has abated a little. I enjoy flying. I can stand at the edge of observations decks on tall buildings, and even at the guardrails of tall bridges. But if I’m at the edge of a cliff, or on a ladder, I still get weak knees. I don’t like climbing on rocks; what goes up must come down. I don’t do roller coasters. I’ve had to go up on roofs several times; never a happy event. I’m always afraid that if I start to slip, in my panic I’ll automatically go into the drill we teach the children to do if their clothes catch on fire: drop and roll. Not a good idea when on the roof. So on that great day, be a little wary if you’re close to me. I may grab for something when my feet leave the ground.
On the other hand, the scriptures do say “Perfect loves casts out fear.” It would be nice if that would take place before that day, and not after it starts. Maybe what I need to do is keep my eyes on Jesus when it happens, and perhaps, like that day in the little Piper airplane, I won’t notice what isn't around me. That won’t be too bad.
I just need to be the opposite of Lot’s wife: keep my eye on where I’m headed, and forget about where I’ve been.
Have a great day.
Dr. G
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