A few years ago, I almost died on an airplane.
Our plane was backing out of the gate to taxi to the runway. As we were backing up, I looked out my window and saw our plane run into the plane behind us!
“We just hit a plane!” I told the passengers around me.
People kept quiet and thought I was odd. I told a flight attendant, who basically didn’t believe me.
A few minutes later, our plane began to taxi to takeoff. A passenger near me was extremely nervous. He insisted I make a bigger deal of what I had witnessed. Then, I said what could very well be the dumbest thing I’ve ever said in my life.
“Listen, I’ve played Flight Simulator on my computer, and you can usually fly a damaged plane just fine.” Well, that really made him upset.
Unbelievably, we taxied out toward the runway for a few minutes. Finally, just as we were turning onto the runway, the plane behind us apparently saw the damage and radioed in that we should go back to the gate.
About 30 minutes later, I was sitting in a secure room with the captain of the plane as he interrogated me. After hearing my story, he told me I should not have been so complacent and compliant in letting that plane taxi for takeoff. I should have gotten out of my seat, shouted and refused to stop until they heard my alarm, he said. All of the passengers’ lives were in danger. The captain had personally gone out to the tarmac, looked at the plane and saw extensive damage.
“Sir, if we would have attempted takeoff tonight, we all would have been killed,” he told me.
Friend, no matter how you cut it, the world is like that plane. It’s awkward to stand up and say to others “There is a huge emergency!” We don’t want to be that weirdo who stands out.
Our lack of urgency to pray, give, and share the gospel message doesn’t always match up with our understanding of the desperate need for people to know Christ. This actually confuses non-believers. And it is just what the enemy wants — to keep us living quietly, not shaking up an entire flight, even if it is in great danger.
OneWay exists to encourage and equip everyday people like you and me to be more fruitful in rescuing and reaching people for Christ. God is doing miraculous things and many of you are a part of that through prayer, giving, serving, encouragement and more. Together, we are doing our best to stand up and make a difference for the multitudes.
I believe we are at a defining moment in OneWay’s history. Now, more than ever, we are looking to God and His people to help rally the church to rescue the lost.
We invite you to join us.
Michael Thompson Founder and Director