I have found many angry people in airports. I have come to realize the long lines, the delays, etc. can bring out the worst in all of us. It is a place where most often:
my patience is tested…
my endurance is tested…
and obvious evil can be lurking…..911 is a great example of the evil.
As Christians, it is also a great place to be “light,” to show kindness. Many times the airline counter agents are looking for a kind face because many of the problems with airlines are not their fault but they are on the receiving end of all the “fury” from travelers. Or maybe the travelers are like I was years ago and they bring anxiety to the airport with them. The least little thing can set them off, like waiting.
Be a good samaritan in airports. You may not be traveling by foot to Jericho but you can still be the good samaritan just like the friendly man who helped us on our arrival at the airport. If Luke 10:30-37, the story of the good Samaritan, had been written in today’s world, it might be written like this..
“Jesus said: ‘A woman was going down from Columbia to Dallas, when her reservation was attacked by the kiosk and her ticket was rejected. She had to wait in line and caused other people to wait, leaving her dejected by the other travelers in line. A pastor happened to be traveling down the same road, and when he saw her at the counter, and as he joined the line and had to wait, he frowned at her too.
So too, a doctor, when he came to the line and saw her too, he joined the growing line and also frowned. But an African American man/curbside checker was kind to the traveling woman who was a Caucasian and came to help with a smile; and when he saw her, he took pity on her and helped her. He smiled and said, ‘We will get this worked out.’ Pulling her suitcases and taking her things, he took her to an attendant that could solve the problem. He stood there for the 30 minutes and waited until the problem was solved so that he could help her with her bags. He took care of her and her daughter. The next day he did the same for another traveler.
Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the women who had her ticket rejected?
The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on her.’
Jesus told him, ‘Go and do likewise.’”
Airports and airplanes are great places to be a “good samaritan” whether you are the traveler or you are employed there. It may not be a dusty road. It could be a ticket counter long line….none-the-less….it is a road we travel where we can “live out loud’ for our Lord.
Hebrews 13:2, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.”