Difference

I really think I remember when this happened.

Some time just after 9/11 (two months after, it turns out), I remember somebody saying, “Hey, I just saw on the news where some guy ran through a security point at Hartsfield. Now nobody’s flying over like half the country.”

Some guy…

“Some guy” was Shane Lasseter from Gainesville, GA. I’m sure he would love that I’m bringing this back up, and that the AJC has decided to bring it up again as well. His tale was again rehearsed this Monday in their “whatever happened to” feature.

Lasseter’s 15 minutes of fame was not the kind you’d want. He had a colossal, public, lapse of good judgment.

The UGA fan (nope, I’m not saying anything) was on his way to see the Bulldogs play at Ole Miss. He never got that far, and more than his weekend was ruined.

Like an old-time O.J. Simson-luggage-hurdling-rent-a-car commercial, Lasseter tore backward down the “up” escalator.

He flew, in reverse, right through a security checkpoint --- all in an effort to retrieve the camera bag he’d left behind. His ticket remained behind in the pocket of a travel bag at the gate. He had pierced the vale of the “secured world” and entered the unclean world of the “unsecured,” all without his ticket.

Not good. At all.

The result? A “code orange” was issues at the incredibly busy Hartsfield International Airport. Flights were grounded at 18 other airports. Dominoes started to fall. Traffic piled up on I-85. Marta was halted at the College Park station. Soldiers evacuated and guarded the terminal.

Was Osama on the loose? Nope. “Some guy” forgot his camera bag.

So, have you ever thought that the actions of one little person ---- say one little person like you or me --- couldn’t really make a difference in the world?

You’d be wrong.

In just a moment’s time, an impulsive decision made worse by adrenaline, hurry and fear turned a community upside-down for an afternoon, impacted thousands and thousands of people, and sent deep currents through the waters of one man’s life.

Ultimately, Shane Lasseter was sentenced to five weekends in jail, 500 hours of community service and a year’s probation. Oh, and he wasn’t allowed back to another UGA game for a year. Not kidding.

He also resigned from his job and had to re-make his life.

Our choices really do matter, both for ourselves and for countless other people in our homes, churches, businesses, communities and world.

Thinking of Hartsfield makes me think of the flights that I’ve taken from there and the times that I’ve returned. The vision of metro Atlanta all lit up at night, with its multiple skylines and seemingly infinite grid of streets and neighborhoods never fails to leave me stunned.

I always think, “there are a LOT of people down there. How can God really know us all? Isn’t it amazing to believe that he does?”

You could almost believe that one person’s little life and choices couldn’t matter in such a sea of humanity.

But we’d be wrong.

As I journey through life in a church, as a pastor, and as a disciple of Jesus Christ, I sometimes venture back toward a poem that leans in its frame against a shelf in my office. It was a gift to me from my parents --- and it continues to mean the world.

The poem speaks of frustration, weariness, and all the times that we might be tempted to resign ourselves over into insignificance.

But the last line says it all:
“A life lived for Jesus really does make a difference.”

Every single day, we are faced with decisions. Change is an inevitable reality --- tomorrow will be different, even if ever so slightly, than today. But God gives us the incredible gift of choice.

That idea is humbling. It can be overwhelming. What if we mess up? What if we forget to follow in His steps? What if we lose our way? What about all that pressure?

Knowing that it matters isn't about pressure...it's about the precious gift of significance. God promises to be with us, to help us, and most of all just wants to "do life" with us...together.

The idea of insignificance is an illusion. Worse yet, it’s a form of self-deception that dishonors God.

Remember that it matters, and that God is always there.

Oh yeah, and don’t run backwards through any security checkpoints. For that matter, I’d try not to run in an airport at all. I’ll see you this Sunday.

Grace & Peace,
Adam

LIFE AT SOTH:

So much is happening in the life of our church! New officers were elected at our Charge Conference on October 15th, and all of our new leadership information will be available for the entire congregation this Sunday. Our 2007 leadership team is strong and skilled, and we ask you to hold each of our leaders in prayer.

Confirmation continues for about a dozen of our youth who will be received into full church membership on Sunday morning, November 19th!

Pumpkins are here! Don’t forget that our pumpkins are here at SOTH and we’re looking forward to a huge weekend of sales. Get them while they last and help support our youth!

Small groups continue to meet each week during our “Get Out of the Boat” fall discipleship emphasis. Special thanks to Tim Potate, Lamar Gilstrap, Derrick Fountain, Sandra Wells and Andrea Vantrees for their outstanding leadership, and to the Clary’s, Potates, Brooks and Bartletts for serving as hosts.

You will be presented with a set of options this Sunday! Our “Out of the Boat” series on committed discipleship is drawing near its close, and this Sunday, everyone present in worship will receive an “Opportunities Card” for 2007. We’re working hard to list all the ways that you can serve at SOTH in the year ahead, and we will be asking for “pledges” of Worship, Prayer, Scripture, Relationships, Service and Giving in 2007. Thanks for the great response that you’ve all made to the challenge of this series, and for your willingness to serve and grow deeper in relationship with Christ.