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I’VE HEARD THE STORIES.

Maybe you have too. Often from Christian pastors or maybe overseas missionaries, these accounts typically start with something like: “I was on a airline flight recently…”. They usually go on to share something profound or radical about the conversations had in row 17 seats A and B. These stories are the 30,000 foot version of charismatic street corner evangelism. Do you know these kinds of stories? People come to know Christ or grow in their faith by the power of the Holy Spirit while they wait to be handed their package of Biscoff cookies or pretzel nuggets. I do love hearing these stories. They always inspire me for what I wish I could do on my next flight. Now I don’t fly often, but I’ve flown enough. And I have to be truthful with you here – I have NEVER, not once in my life, had a spiritual conversation with a fellow passenger on an airplane…

UNTIL LAST TUESDAY. 

For those who aren’t aware, I work full time in the field of Architecture. My company, and all of the projects I design, are in Southwest Florida. Last week I had the opportunity to fly down to reconnect with my clients, my coworkers, and my friends. For the flight out of Charlotte, I snuggled into my customary exit-row window-seat (gotta have that extra legroom). I was ready for some time with God. With an earbud full of worship music and my journal in hand, I was ready to be left alone. 

GOD HAD OTHER PLANS.

A tall, elderly man, Bill was his name, limped to the aisle seat in my row. The seat between us remained unoccupied for duration. What a bonus! Talk about icing on the cake! Elbow room too! As the plane leveled off at altitude, Bill, frustrated by the airline’s Wifi situation, looked for something else to occupy his attention. What he chose in lieu of inflight entertainment, was to spark a conversation about the tattoos on my arms. 

“Sorry, I have to ask, what does that say on your arm? Is that Greek?”

That’s all it took. My bubble was compromised. My music was paused. The clouds outside my window and all the tiny farmland that I love to stare at… they’d all have to wait. Maybe I should have worn long sleeves. Oh well.

I responded. I shared what the writing is. Where it came from. Its meaning. Its personal significance to my walk with the Lord. (PS – If you’re curious, see me Sunday, I’d love to share this response with you as well.) Usually at this point after I’ve described my tattoo meanings, the chit chat ceases. And that would have been fine by me. I was ready to go back to my window. Not this time. Bill wasn’t done. 

We proceeded to talk. My phone and journal now formally put away as to indicate to him that he officially had my full attention. He asked if I knew anything about the ancient manuscripts. We talked. He asked about writings that aren’t considered part of the Biblical canon of scripture (later confirmed he was referring to the apocrypha – those with Catholic backgrounds – you no doubt understand). We talked. He shared some of his upbringing in the Church but shrugged that part off. We talked. The more we talked the more it became apparent that this was not just small talk to pass time. Bill was driving at what I call a “root question” without actually having to say it out loud. Here’s what Bill was really getting at:

“What’s the reason behind why you believe what you believe?”
“What’s the reason why you’re so confident in this hope that you’re talking about?”

Sure… his approach to that runway landing was a bit roundabout. He circled the tower with questions about ancient texts, writing, inspired authorship, why parts of Jesus’ life were left out of the Bible, and why the four gospels seem to give different accounts. But the more we got into it, the more his true curiosity was solidified. He wanted to know WHY I believed what I said I believed.  

I didn’t argue. I didn’t try to force him to agree. I didn’t set out to evangelize or convert. I didn’t preach at him, or exhort him to repentance. Not this time. Not in this conversation. What I DID do, from the very first question about ink on my arms, was remember 1 Peter 3:15. I simply answered the questions he asked.

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared [ready] to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason [the “why”] for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” - 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

No big reveal here. Bill didn’t necessarily profess faith in Christ last Tuesday. We didn’t hit the button for the inflatable escape slide just so we could do an emergency baptism in the Gulf of Mexico. You (probably) won’t see Bill at Bridges this Sunday. Bill might have been born-again decades ago. Or, maybe not. Maybe he doesn’t know Christ the way Christ knows him. I’m not sure what the Lord’s plan for Bill is or was. But what I do know is this: on that day, the Holy Spirit made me ready, with an ongoing heart that reveres Christ, and a readiness to answer questions about the hope I have, all while our seat backs and tray tables were in the upright and locked positions. 

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

First off, do you have hope? Do you have the kind of hope that only comes from a salvation relationship with Jesus Christ the Messiah? It all starts there. Jesus-style-hope. Is that hope within you? 

If so, then second, are you able to articulate the reason for that hope? Can you describe, in your own words, why Jesus chose you? Why He saved you? What He saved you from and what He saved you to? And how you can possibly know any of this for sure? Can you give an answer? 

Finally, are you ready? Are you ready to share what you know… with others? Do you put yourself in environments and situations where others can take note, be curious, and ask questions about your faith? I’m not saying you need tattoos to do it. But think about your sphere, your family, your workplace, your gym, your school, or your next airline flight. Are you ready… to share Christ… when the questions start coming? Church I encourage you to be…

READY WITH AN ANSWER.

If you have any questions about this subject, this passage, or how to articulate an answer for the hope that is in you, please reach out to us at info@bridgeschurch.net or come find us Sunday. We’d love to dig into the Word with you and help any way we can to see you become more like Jesus.