“Is It Worth It?”

It has been more than 25 years since I sat behind the controls of a Cessna 172 and enjoyed the thrill of flying.  I have even thought of renewing my pilot’s license, but then reality catches up with me and I know that at this stage in my life I should leave the flying to those with quicker reflexes (not to mention the cost of renting a plane these days).     Maybe it is my love for flying, or perhaps a simple fascination of aerodynamics that makes me want to “look up” when I hear the roar of an airplane overhead.   Every time I watch a plane in flight I still stand in awe that such machines are able to stay aloft; and the bigger the plane, the greater the fascination.

Over the years I have had the opportunity to attend various and sundry air shows hosted by a local flying club, or some well-known flying group such as the Confederate Air club or the USAF Blue Angels.   Now that may not excite you, and you may wonder why in the world anyone would pay money to sit in bleachers, endure the heat, twist your neck in all sorts of contortions, and suffer through the noise of roaring engines.  I am aware that not everybody enjoys watching airplanes take off, land, do loop-de-loops, or barrel rolls; but for those who are aircraft enthusiasts, there is something about enduring all the inconveniences that go along with watching a pilot skilled in aerobatics take the control of an airplane and maneuver that aircraft with such precision.    Some years ago I attended a Confederate Air Show.  For the most part the planes were vintage aircraft from WWII.   I can well remember some of the “stunts” those pilots performed; and I can also remember that I came away from that air show with a sore neck, sunburn from the exposure, and a headache from all the tension and noise.   But I learned some important lessons.   It matters little with regard to the surrounding circumstances if one is determined to enjoy himself.   I enjoy airplanes and I get an immense thrill out of watching them perform.  Perhaps it is the joy that overrules the necessary inconveniences that makes attending an air show worthwhile.   There is something to be learned in all this, is there not?

First, attitude is behind so much of my outlook on life.  This is true with regard to our secular occupation, the various circumstances we face in life, and/or family relationships.  But it does not end there.  How I view the church will have a direct bearing upon whether or not I truly enjoy my association with brethren or the worship services of the church.  What is my attitude toward the church?  Do I perceive of it as being dull?  Then it will be dull!    Unimportant?  Then it will be unimportant! Exciting and fulfilling?  Then it will be exciting and fulfilling.  The same is true regarding a number of areas having to do with the work of the church.  Second, I learn that the rewards of life are worth the inconveniences and sacrifices I have to make to achieve the end result.  This is especially true with regard to the Christian life.  The inner peace of mind, the thrill of serving Christ, and the expectation of heaven help me to sing, “Surely heaven will be worth it all.”   When we are tempted to be negligent in our responsibilities, or if the going gets rough, or if there seems to be a lack of love among my brethren, or any other number of inconveniences, just remember that the joy of living the Christian life will help you to bear up under the difficulties.

With the realization that (1) attitude is behind much of my outlook on life, and (2) that the rewards are worth the sacrifices, then perhaps I can say with the Apostle Paul, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content.”   Indeed, when life is over we will look back at our brief time upon this earth along with the sacrifices we had to make, and the inconveniences we had to endure, and declare with the redeemed of every age, “It was truly worth it!”

by Tom Wacaster