By
Dana Rausch
/ June 14, 2013
The President of the United States came to my town this last weekend. His arrival was nothing short of spectacular. Meticulous planning was brought to fruition. For it was no small feat to make that trip happen.
A week prior, two C130 cargo planes landed at the airport carrying Secret Service and the motorcade vehicles. I understand two had to come because of a weight issue for the Palm Springs airport. Major thorough-fair roads were closed for security purposes which created traffic nightmares for thousands. The estate that he would be lodging was encircled with Secret Service and all roads surrounding it were completely shut down for the duration of his stay.
The day his plane arrived thousands of local people gathered in various locations around the airport to get a glimpse of Air Force One. Standing in 112 degree heat, they waited to take pictures and be privy to a part of history. Many people were on side roads to watch the motorcade drive by.
His motorcade included 18 vehicles in the procession, which included an ambulance and fire truck. As they traveled, every intersection was closed off in succession for at least 10 minutes. Mind you, that is in 112 degree sizzling sun! Regardless of opinion of this particular President, it was impressive to see this well executed plan unfold.
Contemplating all of the hoopla surrounding his trip, I considered how as Christians in the spiritual world the events are quite similar.
Similar to the President, we as Christians are also people of influence. Just as people watch, gawk and gaze at him because of his position, people are also watching us.
He has Secret Service to protect him against an enemy, we as Christians have God and his angels to protect us against our enemy.
I have to admit his motorcade was remarkable. Everything he needed was instantly at his disposal. An entourage went before him and cleared his path. In case of any unforeseeable emergency, they were instantly ready. They even carry his blood type in the trunk!
As Christians, we also have a motorcade, and guess who the driver is? Jesus. Hebrews 12 tells us that we are surrounded with a cloud of witnesses and Jesus is our leader and instructor. In addition, we have all we need at our disposal.
We have GOD, the creator of everything! We have his love letter that has endured through the years – The Bible. We also have friends that come along side of us to walk the narrow path. Friends help us remain strong in the midst of an emergency. And prayer warrior friends that keep us lifted up in prayer.
I tried to put myself in the President’s shoes when it came to his travel escapades.
· How does it feel? · What does he think?
· Does he just get accustomed to it?
· What does it feel like to get on a jet that is custom built
for your every desire?
· Does he take for granted that he will be catered to as people have put him on a pedestal?
· Has he become prideful and entitled?
I have never met him and don’t know him except what the media portrays. News is written from a certain perspective that is sometimes tainted.
As I stepped out of the President’s shoes, I considered what the world labels as valuable:
· position
· prestige
· wealth
· notoriety
Yet, as a Christian, we have all of that….. and more….. in Jesus. 1 John 2:6 states, “For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.”
Again, it all comes down to choice. We can choose to pursue what the world deems valuable or we can pursue the things that God considers valuable. Things like love, goodness, righteousness, honesty, humbleness, and integrity.
Anne Graham Lotz said it best: JUST GIVE ME JESUS. And I eagerly watch with excitement God’s impeccable plan unfolding before my very eyes.
Along with everything that people crave.
But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
1 John 2:17