Airborne For A While
Title: Airborne For A While
Category: Devotions
Subject: Deception
Airborne...for a while!
With Dr. Vincent D. Hefner, Pastor
First Baptist Church, Cherryville
Maybe it's my approaching 40th birthday that has made me more willing to try new things, or the desire to associate with my children, either way, I have been taking certain risks. Not big risks, mind you, but risks that a 40-year-old man should think twice before he attempts. My eleven-year old twin daughters love to get around town on their scooters. A scooter is like a skateboard with handle to hold while you are pushing yourself from place to place. I'm not sure, but I think the word "scooter" comes from the German word meaning "pain on four wheels." I watched my daughters as they scooted around in the driveway and down the hill into the Church parking lot. I was impressed as they effortlessly pushed themselves round and round in circles having a wonderful time. This was just too tempting to pass up so I went outside and asked if I could ride. My daughter Kelly gave me her scooter and told me to be "very careful." I should have considered this my first warning. When an eleven year-old tells you to be careful, take heed to their advice. Careful? She didn't know to whom she was speaking. I had ridden and wrecked just about everything you can name, and I had walked away (or limped) from every wreck! I was not concerned about a little ol'scotter. I pushed myself around the driveway without incident, so the next challenge was to go down the hill and into the parking lot behind our home. "Yes, I would master this hill" I told myself. I pushed the scooter up to warp speed and proceeded down the hill. Everything was fine until I leveled out on the parking lot and pulled back on the handlebars. Before I could say, "Blue-cross/Blue-shield," I was airborne...for a while. The purpose of riding a scooter is not to be airborne. You know, when I think back on it, I didn't mind being airborne. I did mind the landing. As I lay on my back the first thought that entered my mind was the EMT's at the Fire Department. I am the chaplain for the Fire Department and the thought of having to call 911 for them to check on their chaplain that had wrecked a scooter was more than I could bear. I pulled myself up and walked (limped) around for several minutes. My girls were frantic. One stayed with me while the other ran into the house to get medical supplies. In a matter of moments she reappeared with bandages, band-aids, and some "Tums" for my stomach.
I have just about healed from the scooter incident, physically. The emotional scars may take more time to heal. What can we learn from this painful but true story? First, things are not always what they appear to be. What may seem harmless can be deadly. 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 says, “But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.” The world is the master of making that which is deadly seem good. Be sure before you pick up a habit or select a lifestyle that you examine it carefully to see the end results of your decision. It might make you feel airborne, but only for a while! Remember, don’t give in to sin. Think about it!
With Dr. Vincent D. Hefner, Pastor
First Baptist Church, Cherryville
Maybe it's my approaching 40th birthday that has made me more willing to try new things, or the desire to associate with my children, either way, I have been taking certain risks. Not big risks, mind you, but risks that a 40-year-old man should think twice before he attempts. My eleven-year old twin daughters love to get around town on their scooters. A scooter is like a skateboard with handle to hold while you are pushing yourself from place to place. I'm not sure, but I think the word "scooter" comes from the German word meaning "pain on four wheels." I watched my daughters as they scooted around in the driveway and down the hill into the Church parking lot. I was impressed as they effortlessly pushed themselves round and round in circles having a wonderful time. This was just too tempting to pass up so I went outside and asked if I could ride. My daughter Kelly gave me her scooter and told me to be "very careful." I should have considered this my first warning. When an eleven year-old tells you to be careful, take heed to their advice. Careful? She didn't know to whom she was speaking. I had ridden and wrecked just about everything you can name, and I had walked away (or limped) from every wreck! I was not concerned about a little ol'scotter. I pushed myself around the driveway without incident, so the next challenge was to go down the hill and into the parking lot behind our home. "Yes, I would master this hill" I told myself. I pushed the scooter up to warp speed and proceeded down the hill. Everything was fine until I leveled out on the parking lot and pulled back on the handlebars. Before I could say, "Blue-cross/Blue-shield," I was airborne...for a while. The purpose of riding a scooter is not to be airborne. You know, when I think back on it, I didn't mind being airborne. I did mind the landing. As I lay on my back the first thought that entered my mind was the EMT's at the Fire Department. I am the chaplain for the Fire Department and the thought of having to call 911 for them to check on their chaplain that had wrecked a scooter was more than I could bear. I pulled myself up and walked (limped) around for several minutes. My girls were frantic. One stayed with me while the other ran into the house to get medical supplies. In a matter of moments she reappeared with bandages, band-aids, and some "Tums" for my stomach.
I have just about healed from the scooter incident, physically. The emotional scars may take more time to heal. What can we learn from this painful but true story? First, things are not always what they appear to be. What may seem harmless can be deadly. 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 says, “But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.” The world is the master of making that which is deadly seem good. Be sure before you pick up a habit or select a lifestyle that you examine it carefully to see the end results of your decision. It might make you feel airborne, but only for a while! Remember, don’t give in to sin. Think about it!
