I recently traveled to Tampa, Florida with my wife to help our son and his wife complete their move from Frankfort, Kentucky. I don't fear flying but I don't particularly enjoy the experience either. I do a lot of observing when I'm in a jet or an airport. For instance, I took notice of the the spectacular beauty of the Tampa airport. The stunning inlaid floors and indoor palm trees left a favorable impression on me. My son would share with me later that the airport in Tampa was voted one of the 10 nicest airports in America and I can certainly believe it. However, the biggest impact on my psyche came from the lay over in Atlanta. The Hartsfield - Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the world. We had a lay over on the way to Tampa and on the way back home to Kansas City. The return flight had us landing in Georgia at 3 o'clock in the afternoon on a Wednesday. The mass of people was unbelievable. There were times when I wondered if I were to trip and fall if I would just be trampled by hurried travelers. This wasn't the first time that I had been through AIA but this may have been the first time that I really sensed the massive movement of humanity through those many gates.
When I arrived home I took some time to research the statistics on air traffic through Atlanta and the numbers were staggering. Every day there are approximately 260,000 people who come through this behemoth in Atlanta. That is an amazing 10,833 an hour! Nearly 11,000 people arriving and departing ever hour of every day!
There are certain events and places that make me think of eternity and my own mortality and a large airport is one of those places. My curiosity moved me to check another statistic. I found out that 232,000 people leave this planet every day via their own death. There is not a whole lot of difference between the numbers of people passing through Atlanta airport and the numbers of people passing into eternity. That thought is very shocking and sobering. One of the phrases I heard every time we boarded a plane was "the unlikely event". This is a phrase the flight attendants would use in describing the probability that we would need a flotation device in case our aircraft crashed. I suppose it's true that it would be an unlikely event to crash in a body of water on a plane ride. It's safer to fly than to drive a car. But that phrase reminded me that there are some events in life that are definitely not "unlikely". The eventuality of my death and your death is not only likely it is an absolute certainty! Remember, 10,000 people every hour die, one day you and I will be a part of that statistic. The writer of the the Biblical book of Hebrews says "that as it is appointed unto men once to die and after that the judgement". Dear Reader do you understand the magnitude of that statement? You and I are appointed to die and then we will be judged.
As I walked through the masses of people and think of the multitudes that will die today there is a sense of peace that fills my heart because I have done all I can do to prepare for the day of my death. When I say that I have "done all that I can do" I want you to understand that all I have done is that I have placed my faith in Jesus Christ's death, burial and resurrection to be sufficient payment for my sins. I am simply a believer in Jesus. The good news is that you too can be prepared for the certain event of your death. Let me close with these words of instruction on how to be ready for death...
When I arrived home I took some time to research the statistics on air traffic through Atlanta and the numbers were staggering. Every day there are approximately 260,000 people who come through this behemoth in Atlanta. That is an amazing 10,833 an hour! Nearly 11,000 people arriving and departing ever hour of every day!
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| Aerial view of Atlanta airport. |
As I walked through the masses of people and think of the multitudes that will die today there is a sense of peace that fills my heart because I have done all I can do to prepare for the day of my death. When I say that I have "done all that I can do" I want you to understand that all I have done is that I have placed my faith in Jesus Christ's death, burial and resurrection to be sufficient payment for my sins. I am simply a believer in Jesus. The good news is that you too can be prepared for the certain event of your death. Let me close with these words of instruction on how to be ready for death...
1. The bad News. We are sinners. (Romans 3:23.)
We deserve to be punished in hell for our sins.
2. The Good News. Jesus Christ who is God's Son died on the cross for all of your sins. He was buried & rose again to give you eternal life in heaven as a free gift. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4. Romans 6:23.)
3. How am I saved?
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. (Acts 16:31.)
4. Once saved, always saved.
Jesus said in John 6:47. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
Do you believe that you are saved by grace and promised heaven because Jesus died for you? Yes_ No_.
We deserve to be punished in hell for our sins.
2. The Good News. Jesus Christ who is God's Son died on the cross for all of your sins. He was buried & rose again to give you eternal life in heaven as a free gift. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4. Romans 6:23.)
3. How am I saved?
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. (Acts 16:31.)
4. Once saved, always saved.
Jesus said in John 6:47. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
Do you believe that you are saved by grace and promised heaven because Jesus died for you? Yes_ No_.
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