Title: Great Expectations (6)
Series: Ephesians 1
Author: Stephen Whitney
Text: Ephesians 1:15-18
In 1968 on an airplane headed for New York on a routine and normally boring flight the pilot realized that the landing gear was not engaging. He messed around with the controls, trying again and again to get the gear to lock into place, but without success. Then he asked the ground controllers for instructions.
As the plane circled the landing field, the emergency workers coated the runway with foam and fire trucks and other emergency vehicles moved into position to assist when the airplane landed.
Meanwhile, the passengers were told of each maneuver in that calm, unemotional voice pilots do so well. Flight attendants glided about the cabin with an air of cool reserve. Passengers were told to place their heads between their knees and to grab their ankles just before impact. There were tears and a few cries of despair. It was one of those "I can't believe this is happening to me" experiences.
Then, with the landing only minutes away, the pilot suddenly announced over the intercom: "We are beginning our final descent. At this moment, in accordance with International Aviation Codes established in Geneva, it is my obligation to inform you that if you believe in God you should commence prayer." That is exactly what he said!
The plane landed safely on its belly and no one was injured.
The next day a relative of one of the passengers called the airline and asked about the prayer rule the pilot had quoted. The answer was a cool, reserved, "No comment."
Amazing, the only thing that brought out into the open a deep down "secret rule" was a crisis. Pushed to the brink, back to the wall, all other escape routes closed . . . only then does our society open a hint of recognition that God may be there -
"if you believe . . . you should commence prayer."
For many people prayer is reserved for a crisis, hoping God will bail them out of a situation ...
Series: Ephesians 1
Author: Stephen Whitney
Text: Ephesians 1:15-18
In 1968 on an airplane headed for New York on a routine and normally boring flight the pilot realized that the landing gear was not engaging. He messed around with the controls, trying again and again to get the gear to lock into place, but without success. Then he asked the ground controllers for instructions.
As the plane circled the landing field, the emergency workers coated the runway with foam and fire trucks and other emergency vehicles moved into position to assist when the airplane landed.
Meanwhile, the passengers were told of each maneuver in that calm, unemotional voice pilots do so well. Flight attendants glided about the cabin with an air of cool reserve. Passengers were told to place their heads between their knees and to grab their ankles just before impact. There were tears and a few cries of despair. It was one of those "I can't believe this is happening to me" experiences.
Then, with the landing only minutes away, the pilot suddenly announced over the intercom: "We are beginning our final descent. At this moment, in accordance with International Aviation Codes established in Geneva, it is my obligation to inform you that if you believe in God you should commence prayer." That is exactly what he said!
The plane landed safely on its belly and no one was injured.
The next day a relative of one of the passengers called the airline and asked about the prayer rule the pilot had quoted. The answer was a cool, reserved, "No comment."
Amazing, the only thing that brought out into the open a deep down "secret rule" was a crisis. Pushed to the brink, back to the wall, all other escape routes closed . . . only then does our society open a hint of recognition that God may be there -
"if you believe . . . you should commence prayer."
For many people prayer is reserved for a crisis, hoping God will bail them out of a situation ...
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