Traffic, Panzers, and Fruit

Today, I’m going home.  After three months away, I’m about to get on a plane bound for Tennessee knowing that I get to stay there for a while.  It’s a wonderful feeling.

Of course there are several hurdles I must jump before I can get there: Traffic, lines, and taxiing.  This post will start off sounding grouchy because all three of these hurdles are basically the same.  They all involve other people getting in the way of my going where I want to go.

The nerve. 

What’s the world coming to? 

I’m not one particularly prone to road rage but, when the desire to see my family is met with the stubborn donkey called Labor Day traffic, I find myself wishing I could tempt that donkey to move forward with a carrot. 

And by “carrot”, I mean “cattle prod attached to a Panzer tank”. 

And then, once the traffic donkey has been slain and sent to the glue factory, I have to contend with airport security lines. 

This is where I shine. 

You see, I’ve flown more since 9/11 than I ever did before and so I know the drill.

I try to act nonchalant as I take off my shoes.  I thank the security personnel for keeping me safe and I truly mean it.  I allow myself to be funneled into the nylon-strap, security switchback that makes me think of Disney Land…except less fun.  And I make sure that I’m not carrying any of the prohibited items listed on the obviously posted signage. 

It’s this last point that is often the source of my frustration. 

Not because I’ve ever had to throw away a fifty dollar bottle of cologne, but because other people have to do that.  And that makes the line move slower.

I’m on my way to see my family and, of course, I wind up behind the one person with thigh-high lace up boots, a steel plate replacing their left-side ribs and a complete case of soda in their carry-on bag. 

So I wait, inwardly cursing. 

Yes.  Even worship leaders struggle with that sometimes. 

Then, after the security lines, comes the Southwest boarding line.  These I don’t mind because, in general, Southwest customers are friendly and like to chat.  They’re also loyal and know what they’re doing.  But then, once we’re all packed like Vienna sausages on the plane, they pull away from the gate and then park on the tarmac. 

“This is the captain.  Uhhhhh…it looks like there are just a couple of planes ahead of us here so, it’s just be a few minutes before we’ll be ready for take-off.  For your comfort, I’m going to tell the flight attendants to strap into their seats, rendering them incapable of helping you,  and then I’ll turn of the air conditioning.  HAHAHAHAHAHHA (continued maniacal laughter).” 

Of course the second part of that isn’t true. 

I know several pilots and I don’t think any of them have maniacal laughs. 

Anyway, after that, we take off and I’m on my way home.  There’s just that little problem of time. 

For those of you not familiar, “time” is that pesky part of creation that involves things like waiting, and after three months away, I’m severely lacking in my ability to do that well.

In the Bible there are these things called “The Fruit of The Spirit”.  What that’s talking about is the characteristics that will be evident when God’s Spirit takes root or “indwells” in one’s heart.  While most of us don’t live in farming communities, it’s pretty much common sense that you don’t get apples from a peach tree.  Why?  Because the fruit will match the type of tree.

So what does this have to do with my waiting in lines and getting stuck in traffic? 

Let’s see if you can figure it out.  I’ll give you a hint. 

The Fruit of the Spirit are:  Love, joy, peace, PATIENCE, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

Is there anything wrong with me wanting to see my family?  No.  In fact, I believe that desire is a good and godly thing.  It’s more of a longing than impatience. 

Is it wrong for me to get mad at everyone for the fact that they don’t step out of my way and let me pass, unhindered, through the lines?  More than likely…yes. 

Why is patience such a big deal? 

Because, impatience is all about pride.

It’s about me getting what I want, when I want it, regardless of anyone else. 

Sometimes this is subtle but, as I write this, I’m being convicted that it’s true. 

Patience requires me to step out of the center of my little universe and to look around.  It requires that I trust God and His timing for things.  It means that I stop trying to be god of my world and let God be the one in charge.  In a very real way, it’s about obeying the first commandment: You will have no other Gods before me.  And so, my godly longing to see my family runs into God’s sovereignty and that’s not even a fair fight. So I pray that, even though I’m counting the seconds, God will change me while I wait a little more.