It’s Saturday morning.Today, I found myself sitting in the San Antonio Airport, awaiting the departure of my two-leg flight back home to Kansas City via Southwest Airlines. As I sat, the “cattle stalls” remained empty, but I knew that as soon as the plane arrived at the gate, at least 50-75 people would spring to their feet, regardless of their “A”, “B” or “C” classification and rush to stand in line for another thirty minutes.
What’s funny this time is that I asked the ticket agent at check-in, and the flight is only 3/5 full, meaning that everyone will have an open seat next to them, unless they choose otherwise. It’s always fun to watch how people act and behave in airports.
Before the plane rolled up and the “cattle stalls” filled, I arrived with my son, Preston, at Gate 4. We quickly found two available seats, sat down, and whipped out our books and magazines. We simply never waste down-time!
I was only one paragraph into an article in Relevant magazine when a guy across from me got a phone call. Since we humans judge by the outward appearance, I assumed he was an accomplished and successful businessman. This 60-somethng man had a smug, yet fairly pleasant look about him. His silver hair was neatly combed with a tight part. His perfectly pressed pleated khakis, button down chambray oxford and shiny leather jacket reflected the year 2000, but that’s okay for a guy like him. He looked sharp yet a bit overdressed for a Saturday morning flight.
As one might expect, he began speaking quite loudly into his cell phone, broadcasting his side of the conversation across the waiting area. The mild chatter of those waiting to jump into the "cattle stalls" halted while unseemly glances began to be made toward this guy who insisted on letting everyone in on his life.
The whammy was about to hit. This guy was a preacher! I could tell after only two sentences. Interjecting terminology such as, “I was praying”, “the Lord told me” and “I have been ministering” gave it away.
Naturally, everyone was deeply tuned in after his opening statements.
Now it's time for whammy number two. I gulped and held back my desire to smack the man as he proceeded to discuss, in HD quality detail, his opinions of recent church scandals, homosexuality, etc. You get the picture.
There was total silence in this region of the waiting area. Some were staring blankly and wide-eyed at one another, while others gazing at the patterns on the carpet beneath our feet. I think I was the only one who chose to actually stare at the man, hoping to no avail to get his attention and let him know that he was acting totally inappropriate.
He proceeded to discuss how he is helping other ministers from all across the nation to process through their issues regarding the scandals. He also clearly shared with the mystery person on the other end of the line how so many “gay, non-Christians are pastors” and how “God will judge them all.”
It's time for the final whammy. The SWA 737 pulled up at the gate, so he abruptly wrapped up his ten-minute conversation in order to quickly jump to the front of the “A” line, leaving behind crumpled paper, food items, and an empty Starbucks cup. I didn't feel very friendly at this point, yet somehow I sat there quietly and simply stared in disbelief.
The world was watching, listening and forming opinions about Christians and preachers during this interesting display.
Chatter slowly resumed in the area as the lines began to form. I continued to sit there totally amazed at what I just encountered.
I always try to take my cues from positive examples around me, but this time, I’ve taken a cue from a negative example.
The world is watching, and listening. What is our chatter reflecting about God and the church? Are we releasing the fragrance of Jesus to the world?
I hope so, because today, at the San Antonio Airport, Jesus and his church didn’t smell too well.
...and yes, we cleaned up the trash he left behind on his seat.
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