We all have gazed up in the sky at one time or another and have seen these beautiful contrails that look just like white fluffy tubular clouds following an aircraft. The word contrail is short for condensation trail. These are visible white streak vapor trails, produced by the engine’s exhaust or the changes in air pressure that were left behind by an aircraft flying at high cruising altitude several miles above the earth’s surface. Very likely, these aircraft are flying…
IN THE JETSTREAM!
Have you ever realized that when flying at high altitudes every jet aircraft, big or small, day or night, no matter who the manufacturer is, is leaving behind contrails that can be seen all around the world. Some contrails are bigger than others, some last longer than others, and sometimes you can’t even see the aircraft in front of the contrail; but you know there is evidence of an aircraft because of what is left behind. These contrails look so beautiful with a sunrise or sunset shining on them, but they sooner or later start spreading apart and slowly fade away.
OUR PERSONAL FOOTPRINT IN LIFE
Just like these jet aircraft, we too, living here on planet earth will be leaving something behind, and we call it a legacy. A legacy is creating a personal footprint that will benefit future generations. It can involve inheritance of tangible elements like wealth and material possessions, but it extends far beyond that. Tangible elements, life lessons, values, and experiences are a major aspect of one’s legacy. I guess the big one that I think of is a Godly impact that a person leaves for others to notice and appreciate … just like brother Joe Ivey, who helped start FCAP, has left behind a truly incredible legacy for all of us.
Just a few weeks ago, I attended Charlie Kirk‘s memorial service in the Phoenix, AZ area. I was so impressed and extremely blessed by what I heard and experienced in this huge, packed-out arena. So many men and women, from politicians, dignitaries, CEO’S, pastors, employees of Turning Point USA, family, and friends spoke so very highly of this young 31-year-old man. I can honestly say every person who spoke at the memorial service gave praise to the Lord God Almighty for how Charlie stood up in his faithful living, first and foremost for his God, The Lord Jesus Christ, his family, a wife, a son, a daughter, his country, and so many who knew him personally from around the world. He loved reaching out to Gen Z, our young men and women on high school and college campuses, to help them think clearly in choosing a Biblical viewpoint approach in the direction they are carving out for their life. Do you realize there are thousands of people around the world learning more and more about Charlie’s walk with God, and want to follow in his footsteps in making the right Biblical decisions for their future?
A PERSONAL ENCOUNTER
Just last week I grabbed a burger. When I was getting ready to leave, I saw this really cool-looking electric motorcycle. Just as this young man named Hayden was putting on his helmet and getting on his bike, I went up and complimented him on his super cool-looking motorcycle. As I did, he thanked me, then he pointed to my FCAP “Awaiting Christ” t-shirt that I received last year at our conference in Frankfurt . He said, “I really like the airplane on your shirt.” Then he asked if that was some sort of ministry. He then told me he really loves airplanes and all of his life he wanted to be a pilot and fly for United Airlines. He told me how he has a simulator set up in his room. He takes off out of LAX, lets the Boeing 777 fly for 14-15 hours, and then comes back to land in SYD, MEL, SIN. Then Hayden asked me, “So what do you do?” I had to laugh and told him, “I’ve been there and done that.”
When I shared with Hayden a little bit about the ministry of FCAP, he got so excited. He then told me he was a brand new Christian and added, “If I were to die today and Jesus would ask me at the pearly gates why He should let me in, I would tell Jesus this: ‘I accepted you into my heart as my personal Lord and Savior. I’ve asked you to forgive me of all my sins, I love reading my Bible every day, and on top of that I am telling all my friends in high school how You changed my life.’ ”
After asking Hayden how this came about, he told me that his family started watching videos and reading all they could about Charlie Kirk after his assassination. Then he said, “I realized that in only going to church I was religious but did not have a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.” So then on bended knees and praying, his heart and life were changed.
Recently I spent additional time with Hayden at a coffee shop, where we prayed and shared. Then we discovered that we both share the same birthdays. God is so awesome. Wow…love stories like this!
A PARABLE FROM JESUS
In Luke 12:16-21 Jesus told a parable saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive and he began thinking to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do since I have no place to store my crops?’ He said, ‘This is what I’ll do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and I will store all my grain and my goods there.’ Then I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods stored up for many years to come; just relax, eat, drink and enjoy yourself.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is demanded of you; and as for all that you have prepared, who will own it now?’ Such is the one who stores up treasures for himself and is not rich in relation to God.” In Matthew 6:21 Jesus said, “For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.”
This fool didn’t get a second chance, and it’s so easy in life to be selfish thinking only about ourselves. His time ran out, cut short for his eternal destination. I have to ask myself, “Is it all about my crops, my barns, my grains, my goods, and how about my soul?”
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
✈It is so refreshing to see the Lord leading, guiding, directing and using our Leaders, Staff, Board Members and our partners in sharing their gifts. Really helps all of us to be very thankful that we are able to be a part of and connected to this wonderful FCAP ministry! I believe with all my heart the men and women who are currently working in, have previously been working in, or are getting ready to go into the airline/aviation industry will carry on this ministry around the world for His honor and glory until Christ returns for His Bride. Philippians 1:6 reads, “Being confident of this very thing, that HE who hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ!”
✈Mark 16:15: “And HE said to them, ‘Go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.’ ”
✈FCAP globally is “In the JetStream” and will leave a beautiful bright legacy contrail for all eternity!
✈Remember our ABCs: Admit (Romans 3:23; 6:23), Believe John 3:16; 14:6), and Confess (Romans 10:9-10,13).
WHAT WILL YOU LEAVE BEHIND?
Will your eulogy portray just an impressive résumé or a great legacy?
