Almost everyone has heard about the Southwest Airline accident that took the life of one of the passengers as the engine exploded. WELS Pastor, Tim Bourman of New York City, was on that Southwest flight. He wrote…

Everyone on this plane came to believe in God. I prayed and God sent his angels. Engine blew. Door came off. Flaps stopped working. Big hole in the plane. We lost one of our friends to cardiac arrest in the middle of it. I have never been so scared and at the same time trusting and prayerful. Who needs a mask when God is with you?

Remember to tell your children of Gods love in Christ while you still can. That’s all I could think when we were going down. It’s all that really matters.

Life looks different after something like this.

Accidents happen every day. People lose loved ones unexpectedly. Your life could be over in the blink of an eye. Are you ready? Even though everyone, when faced with a life or death situation, will think of their eternity, not everyone will have the confidence like Pastor Bourman. Are you ready? Would you have that confidence, that when your life is over you will have eternal life? As our high school seniors are heading out into the world, have you taught them about Jesus? Are they ready for life to end in a blink of an eye? You can’t necessarily prepare for the accident but you can be prepared for the end. The Apostle Paul wrote, As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:1,2

Now is the time to seek out God’s Word. Now is the time to repent of sin and seek forgiveness in Jesus. Now is the time to grow in God’s Word. Now is the time to share God’s Word. It doesn’t matter if we are getting on plane, getting in a car, eating in a restaurant, sitting in class, or just sitting at home. Our life may come to an end. Jesus gave us his Word that gives us life beyond death, because he conquered death and the grave. He is the Resurrection and the Life.

These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:31

Keep Christ First!
Pastor Chris Christenson