Peter and I took off from Mariposa that Sunday morning after little sleep and a lot of miles the day before. We had breakfast, then headed down old Hiway 99, then intersected with I-5 and over the Grapevine. After 200 miles of California freeway, we longed for some curves, so we got off and I was going to lead him through some great roads, getting off on SR138. I had ridden them before, and told Peter, who has a history of falling-"RIDE YOUR OWN RIDE!" It is not a race, but a ride. So we took off, and I was way ahead. But keeping him in my mirrors as well as I could, for awhile, I lost him. So at the next intersection, I stopped and waited. And waited. And the second worse thing that can happen while riding with someone happened. The next vehicle was not him, but a black pickup. "Were you riding with a guy on a yellow Yamaha?" he asked, and my heart sunk. For his next words were the worst thing that can happen while riding. "He went off the road about two miles back." So I hurried back, only to find Peter ok, shaken, not stirred, the bike ridable, and both it and Peter would finish the trip home. A worst case scenario had a somewhat happy ending, and Peter would ride again, and sadly fall again. While riding with me. Ride your own ride, please.
It is customary for pilots to check in a day before to confirm their next flight assignment. For Steve Schribner, when he checked in with American Airlines on September 10, he found that someone with seniority had taken the open flight ahead of him. He had been looking forward to it, but it had happened before, and he had done it to others. That was the way it was. But this September day, and this flight was to be different. He was bumped off as first officer on American flight 11-a plane that was to be flown in to the Twin Towers on 9/11. Steve thought nothing of it, until he was tracking the flight the next day after hearing about planes being hijacked. When the information came up on flight 11, it was chilling. SEQUENCE FAILED CONTINUITY! And every pilot knew the meaning-the flight had not made it to its destination. All those aboard flight 11 that day were dead, in one of the most cunning and horrible attack made on America. But Steve was saved, by someone pulling rank and taking a flight that should of/could of been his. And as his heart broke for those on the plane, his friends, he was also thankful not to be among them. Somehow in God's plan for him, he had rescued him from this tragic flight. Someone had taken his seat, his place. Steve would fly again.
It was another beautiful morning, after a busy weekend. A man who had claimed to be God had been crucified, and on this Sunday morning three men ran to the cave he was placed in. But three women were already there, and found the tomb empty. You see this man, Jesus, had promised to be resurrected on the third day-and this forgotten thought had escaped this group until they met at the tomb. "He is not here, but has risen, just as he said," the angel informed them. A prophecy that upon His death on Friday had spelled Sequence Failed Continuity for the believers, their beloved savior was dead, had turned into a successful prophecy that morning. He is alive! RISEN! Even more compelling when you realize it was you and I who He died for-He took our place that Friday. We should have been nailed to the cross for our sin-but Jesus took it all. He spared us from death and hell, and gave us the chance to become children of God. Just like He had intervened for Steve on 9/11, He intervened for all of us on that Good Friday. He had taken our place. Sequences intact. No failure. Continuity continued. Eternity awaits.
And it still continues today. God has everything under control, even down to who will fly with whom, and where we ride and with whom. Jesus died for all those on 9/11, and for all those up until that fateful morning. And continues to carry out the promises to all who believe today. If we looked on the screen of your life, what message would we read? He is risen, or sequence failed continuity? If we look into the book of life, is your name there? And if we ask you who Jesus is, will you confess that He is the Christ, the living God? Do you believe?
It wasn't Steve's time to die that Tuesday in September, 2001. For only God knows the number of our days. But no one is promised tomorrow. It could end today. OR-today could be your day of salvation. Rescued from death by a living God, who died for you, in your place. No sequence failed continuity here, just His eternal love. It's your choice. The eyes of the Lord run to and fro on the earth to show Himself loyal to those whose heart is loyal to Him. A sequence that never fails.
Jesus Christ-born, died, and resurrected-just like he said. The only flight that you will ever take that is guaranteed to the end. Are you on board? Excuse me, but I want a window seat for this one!
Please watch "In my seat-A pilot's story from Sept. 10-11" on YouTube. Now do you believe?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com