I love airports. I really do. It fascinates me to see all the locations you can go from one hub. This is especially striking at some of the big airports in the world … like Paris, New York, or Frankfurt. You can hit nearly every continent from there!
Airports are places of tremendous choice. Whatever plane you get on will lead to vastly different destinations. From OKC, you can head to the mountains, the beach, big cities, Disney World, or the Gateway Arch … all depending on which gate you walk through.
Now most people arrive at the airport knowing where they want to go; after all, they have purchased a ticket with a particular destination in mind. The intended destination is such a strong motivator, it is the reason you went to the airport in the first place. When you show up in the terminal, you will allow nothing to stop you from getting on the right plane. Imagine the folly of showing up at the airport to go visit family in Los Angeles, but getting into conversation with someone in the security line headed the New York, and you just board their plane with them. At some point, you will look up and realize you are thousands of miles off course! The conversation seemed so interesting at the time, but ultimately prevented you from going where you really wanted to go.
When we know where we want to go, we should prioritize spending time with like-minded people who are headed there … instead of following others whose destinations are quite different.
I was thinking about this while preparing for this Sunday at Wildwood. We will be in part 7 of our “Mission:Endure” sermon series. This Sunday we will look at 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1. These verses emphasize the importance of only “getting on the plane” with those headed to your same destination. While we serve those headed in the opposite direction (and invite them to join us on our journey), we should resist the urge to “get on their plane.” The gates we walk through matter … don’t allow others to lead you off course.
Does this analogy resonate? What in the world am I talking about? Well, make plans to join us on Sunday at Wildwood in our 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 service and find out more. We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper and worship the Lord together as we reflect on these verses. See you Sunday … and bring friends!