WEDNESDAY WEEKLY WORD: leaving on a jet plane

"Leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again."

In the 1960's, John Denver wrote this song, "Leaving on a jet plane", sung by Peter, Paul and Mary. Truth of it is, sometimes in life, this is exactly what we would like to do: board a plane and not know when we will be back!

This just isn't really reality for most of us. Some of us are lucky to get to board a plane and be gone for a week's vacation. But to be gone indefinitely, well that just seems like a dream.

Sometimes I think about what a great adventure it would be to just pack a few things, and start over in a new town. The problem with this idea is that it would only be an adventure, not reality. When life hits us hard, we tend to want to just run or hide from it all. But no matter where you go or how long you run, the problems or issues at hand will always be there with you. Isn't it better to just stay planted and come face-to-face with your problems?

Fleeing seems to be how some people handle difficulties in their relationships. Instead of talking things out or giving grace in broken relationships, we just throw in the towel and walk away from people in our lives. Forgiveness seems to be something thrown out like the trash.

In marriages, I see too many couples breaking up because they choose to not forgive. Love is a choice, but when things get rough and tough, they pack up their choices in a bag and board a plane right on out of their marriage.

In marriage, God ordains a man and a woman to become one, this is not just an intimate thing. Becoming one with God as the headship over their home. Becoming united as one in mind and heart. When one in the marriage decides to pack and leave ... they are not one any longer.

GENESIS 2:4 "A man shall leave his father and mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh."

It is completely understood what God is saying... we must leave the apron strings of our mother and father when we wed, so we can become united, become one with our mate. But how can we become united or one with others in our life? You know... the ones that frustrate us, irritate us, anger us, get on our ever-last nerves ...is it possible to be united with these people or is it easier to just pack our bag and flee from them?

"And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet fragrance." Ephesians 5: 2

From time to time, we all have the inkling to leave something or someone. In fact in last week's YOUR OPINION MATTERS POLL, I polled the readers the following question: "Is there someone or something in your life that you have been thinking about leaving?" The top 3 answers were...

1. 33% voted and said they were thinking of leaving their town.
2. 26% said they were thinking of leaving their job.
3. Another 26% responded and said they were thinking of leaving some stress behind.

There's nothing wrong with change. But what about some of the other votes: 6% voted and said they were thinking about leaving their spouse. Another 6% said they were thinking about leaving their church. 12% voted and said they were thinking about leaving their friends. Is it possible that these votes represent stress and difficulty in relationships to the point of wanting to pack up and leave on a jet plane?

Paul says in the book of Romans that our tribulations will produce perseverance, and through our perseverance, we build character and when we have a reputable character ... we have hope! (Romans 5:3) There is hope for those things that drive you to want to leave. So trust God and stay ... He will see you thru whatever troubles you today.

One day we will all board a jet plane and never return ... not to this earth as we know it, but we will go to our heavenly home. But until that day, we must press in and stay committed to one another and to God!