After you clear security at LAX, the departure gates numbered 31 - 36 form a semi-cirlce at the end of a long, carpeted corridor. My Delta flight was scheduled to leave from Gate 36.
The combined waiting area of this semi-circle is deceptively large. There were hundreds of people scrunched into chairs, sprawled on the floor and pacing in between. Typical airport.
I looked across the expanse, searching for an empty chair, hoping for a nearby outlet to charge my iPhone. I spied a small alcove with several rows of chairs wide open, so I made my way over. Jackpot! I could see power outlets built right into the metal frame beside every seat. Surprised that more of the seats weren't taken, I plugged in.
"Not charging" flashed on my iPhone screen. Probably a loose connection in that one, so I pulled the plug and tried another outlet. "Not charging." I raised my head to look around and a fellow traveler caught my eye from a few chairs over. He gave me a half-smile and shrugged his shoulders to signal his plug didn't work either. Taking a closer look, I could see that this entire alcove of chairs was "unplugged." They had power cords dangling from each row that went nowhere.
Another quick walk through the other endless rows, I could see that none of them were plugged in! So where the heck can you charge your mobile device.....?
Then I spotted a tall, narrow island of a kiosk with shiny white counter tops on two sides. "Power Station." Travelers crowded all around it and others hovered nearby, waiting for an opportunity to swoop in and connect their own thirsty device. I smiled as the same scenario played out. Travelers entered the gate area, spotted the empty chair alcove, plugged in, frowned, got up, walked around, and eventually spotted us by the working power island where we waited our turn. It was obvious that we had discovered the real source of power. And all mobile technology formats, shapes and sizes were in abundance.
I often see a spiritual version of this same "unplugged power outlet" scenario.
Many people are looking for that short, direct route to plug into a higher power. They have a sense of somewhat careless urgency, hoping to plop down in an open chair and take a break from their busy lives.
But many of the beckoning alcoves of spirituality have an unseen dead end. It is an illusory connection with no real source of power. Philosophies of good works, prosperity, self-discipline or balanced karma are in fact "not charging." They will eventually drain the hope and confidence of a sincere seeker, sometimes replacing it with cynicism toward all things spiritual.
It's not always easy to admit that, to get up and search again. But for some, it's actually the perfect motivation to more carefully, thoughtfully walk through the ocean of disconnect to discover that singular island kiosk of Truth. There are other people there to welcome you and share their own journey to God's counter. To affirm a sure and confident connection to God through Jesus. There is room for everyone. All formats, all versions, all shapes and sizes, all are welcome at the table with Jesus.
Romans 15:7
"Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God."
What do you believe?
1 comment:
Two thoughts come to mind. First, I have decided to take along an external battery with my phone because I do have too many times where I can't find available power. I'm sure you could find an analogy there.
Second, I was just reading Matthew 7:13-14 about the narrow and wide gates. A comment by John R. W. Stott talked about how many plug in at the wide gate and find no power and their "battery dies". But there is a narrow gate that few find but it has "power". Oh that many would find they were powerless and go searching for that real source of life.
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