Recently I went on a short trip for a commission meeting for the Reformed Church. I love these meetings. They give me chances to do good work for the Reformed Church in America as well as catch up with old friends who are also on the same commission. We work hard, and have time to relax and catch up with one another. That, however, is not the story I wish to tell about. What I would like to discuss is the lack of consistency that I observed from the Transportation Safety Administration.
I prepared to fly to my destination and was going through the safety check point. We all know how annoying that can be. We all have to take out our electronics, remove our shoes, and prepared to be scanned. These are all necessary precautions in the world that we live in. Inside my suitcase was my CPAP machine. My case went through without any problem and soon I was on my plane awaiting take off.
Upon my return trip, my suitcase was flagged because of the CPAP machine. My bag was opened and the CPAP was taken out and examined. My bag was then re-scanned. I was given a stern lecture about leaving my machine inside the bag. I explained that this was not a problem on my last plane trip. The TSA agent contradicted me. He explained that no airport allows CPAP’s to go through without being taken out and scanned separately. I again explained that this is what happened and was told that this could not have happened, even though it had.
I guess that there is less consistency with TSA protocols than we are told. Security is relatively large or relatively small, depending on the airport that is being used. This gives me cause for concern. I would feel more secure if every security post had, and followed, the same level of security.
During this time of Lent, I do hope that we are consistent with our Lenten disciplines. Is our prayer life consistent or haphazard? Is our participation at worship an occasional activity or a constant discipline? Is our scripture study consistent or irregular? In short, are we consistent Christians or irregular ones? Can you imagine if God was as consistent, or inconsistent as we can be? We would not be pleased with that!
This is a challenge to all of us who seek to be faithful disciples of Christ. Let us be more consistent than we have been. May our prayers and study be daily and constant. May our worship be constant. During this Lent, let us be as consistent toward God as we wish God to be to us.
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