Safety Instructions

Do you listen to the safety instructions on board a plane?

On my recent flight to Phnom Penh, the captain came on air, as the plane was about to take off. He made the announcement for passengers to give attention to some safety instructions.

As the air stewardess was giving the well-rehearsed safety demonstration about seat buckle, life vest and exit doors, I looked around and noticed my fellow travelers weren’t at all absorbing the safety instructions.

They were more engrossed in chatting with each other, flipping through the in-flight magazine, finishing another chapter in their book, checking their mobile phone, listening on their headset or watching downloaded movie on their iPad.

Come to think of it the safety instructions was an exercise in futility. No one listens. No one bothers. No one cares.

That seems to be the prevalent attitude of travelers.

As travelers on the journey from earth to heaven, I wonder if we display similar attitude.

We too hardly pay close attention to the safety instructions given by the Pilot of our lives. Jesus gives this safety announcement:

“Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15).

He goes to demonstrate that safety warning in the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21). He concludes for our safety in verse 21:

“So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

He tells us further safety instructions in the event that our life’s journey encounters critical needs.

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing” (Luke 12:22-23).

He points us to the “exit door” for our worrying fears:

“Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?” (Luke 12:24)

He points us to another “exit door” for our anxious fears:

“Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?” (Luke 12:27-28)

He instructs us to put on the safety vest of believing “your Father knows that you need these things” (Luke 12:30).

He instructs that throughout this trip heavenward we are to always remain buckle up to “seek the kingdom of God” (Luke 12:31a)

To do so is to dwell in safety that “all these things shall be added to you” (Luke 12:31b).

The Captain of our soul has made this safety announcement.

Are you listening?