What Could Go Wrong?

Many people are afraid of flying in aircraft even though the probabilities of anything going wrong are minuscule when compared to other modes of transportation. Sometimes people assume that the solution to the problem would be to have a parachute. In fact, some airplanes have their own parachute that will, upon engine failure for example, allow the aircraft to float safely to the ground.

Unfortunately, having a parachute is not always the right answer. Here is a case-in-point:

Five people died after a sky-diving airplane crashed and burned while taking off from the Port Allen Airport, also known as Burns Field, in Hanapepe, this morning. (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

This is a classic example of how the unexpected occurs and the perceived safety mechanism is useless. A parachute is of no help if the plane crashes and burns before reaching an altitude which will allow for use of the life-saving device.

I would imagine, though I cannot know, the four skydivers on this flight had no concerns other than the possibility the chutes would fail to open. Tragically they never got the opportunity to use them.

I occasionally talk with folks who are confident they know how to be redeemed from the curse of sin and death through the grace of God in Christ. They use that knowledge like a parachute, that is, it will be exercised at the last minute when the “plane of life” is crashing. Sometimes, the reality is, the crash occurs with such speed and force there is no time at all for exercising the faith required to live forever in eternity with God.

Hence, the Scripture consistently insists – “Now is the time. Now is the day of salvation.”

For God says:
I heard you in an acceptable time,
and I helped you in the day of salvation.
Look, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2)