“Excuse me,” I tapped the man blocking the plane’s aisle. He looked back at me and shrugged; pointing to a lady trying to get out of her seat. “Sorry, sir, I didn’t see her.” And then I said playfully, “Hurry up! Don’t you know I’m the most important person on this plane?” He cracked a hesitant smile, but the lady by the window laughed loudly.

It seems as if when people are stuck in a “big metal tube” (ADS), flying at insane speeds across this planet, they forget how to be polite and kind to their neighbor. In my experience, far too many air travelers are demanding, insufferable prigs. This behavior sure goes against everything Jesus taught. He didn’t demand his own way even though He really was the most important person on this planet. He was humble, kind and gracious.

If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if His Love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Philippians 2:1-4 (MSG)

Heavenly Father, how often I forget this Truth. Help me to be more like Jesus so I don’t block Your Love from flowing out to my neighbor. Oh, that I continue to learn from You! Amen.

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Colossians 3:12 (MSG)