"Air-Travel Righteousness"

Reflect

Getting on a plane is already an ordeal. I was flying back from San Francisco, just eager to get home. When I arrived at my seat—27C—someone was already there. A woman, deep in a loud phone conversation, sat in my seat and didn’t respond when I politely told her, "Excuse me, I think you're in my seat." ... nothing ... no response. 

I tried again. Nothing. She kept talking—loudly—in a language I didn’t understand. Other passengers looked annoyed. So was I.

I asked a flight attendant for help. She confirmed it was my seat, asked to see the woman’s boarding pass, and after some persistence, the woman finally moved to her correct seat by the window. No apology. No acknowledgment. I sat down, fuming.

My thoughts grew darker: “Where’s the courtesy? Why is she being so rude? This is just what people like her do.”

But then, after takeoff, she turned to me and said, “I’m so sorry for being so loud. Someone just stole my car.”

My heart sank. All the assumptions, the judgments, the racism ... Shame washed over me. I had filled in every gap with my narrative and judgment. 

I just shamefully said ... "It's okay." 

Return

The next morning, I confessed it all—my rudeness, my judgment, my assumptions, my racist thoughts. 

But what was behind my failure? My heart loves to build my sense of righteousness.

This time it was "Air Travel Righteousness." I believed that ... People should be courteous. Stay in their assigned seat. Keep their voices down. And, this is normal. But in my "Air Travel Righteousness," I had no margin for grace. 

I "knocked" on my Father's house. And told my Abba Father, I have returned WITH my "Air Travel Righteousness." And, He welcomed me back again! 

Receive

In His House (presence), the Holy Spirit reminded me: I don't need to define my well-being by how others behave—or how I measure up against them. My joy is not in my politeness, nor is it found in how others follow my rules. 

Christ's righteousness defines my joy for me. 

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. (Romans 3:21-22) 

Wow! By faith ... His perfect record is mine ... His flawless reputation is mine! In the eyes of my Abba, Father, I am fully accepted—not because I measure up, but because Christ perfectly measured up. And my Father CHOOSES to delight in me because of Jesus ... not me. 

Rest

So today, I rest again in the gift of Christ's righteousness for me. I am once again experiencing freedom from the grip of my self-righteousness. 

Can you believe it? A mundane flight back home can be a way back home to my Abba Father's House! 

Respond

I am praying this renewal would soften my heart next time—to be slow to judgment, slow to anger in my heart, and quick to love because I am freed from trying to measure up!