Free to Move About the Cabin

Over the past few months, I have spent quite a bit of time on airplanes. And for some reason I’ve begun to pay very close attention to the words, “You are free to move about the cabin.”  I’ve heard this declaration made hundreds of times, but it never struck me the way it did a couple of weeks ago.  New meaning was revealed. 

What I heard the flight attendant tell me with these often-repeated words is that after a lot of hard work, I have finally made it to “that point” in life. I have reached “that point” that caused me to stay focused in every job I ever had, no matter the distractions and noise that surfaced; a “future” destination point that kept me happy to juggle home and office, knowing that my family would be well cared for after the juggling act was no more. I’ve reached THAT point. Dream realized. I am RETIRED and free to move about the cabin. I am truly free, in ALL respects, to move about the cabin of life! 

Now, that sounds pretty good, but there’s a catch. With freedom comes great responsibility. I’m responsible for making sure that my cabin-roaming activities are aligned to His purpose and what God wants me to do with this newly acquired freedom. You see, for the past 36 years, it was pretty evident to me how and where I was supposed to move about daily.  My purpose was clear and ordained. The Lord orchestrated every move and the WHY was clear for each position and geographical location. It has taken me a few months to regain this same level of clarity, but I have it now. My movement around this world is about marshalling resources – bringing people together to make a difference for others in some very meaningful ways. 

I have suddenly realized that my present state of liberty is really about the enlarged dimensions of the cabin and the time now available to impact the inhabitants. There’s work to do! There’s work to do to in our schools, communities, prisons, places of worship, homes, corporations, and so many other places.This is a BIG cabin.  

So, the next time you hear these words, “You are free to move about the cabin,” I encourage you to reflect, as I did, on three things: 

• Where is your cabin? What size is it? Is it the BIG cabin of life that provides a host of new avenues to make a difference and a vast landscape to roam? Or is it a defined cabin like a workplace or school that allows you daily opportunities to move about with purpose and impact? 

• What can you do to make the cabin better? As you move about the cabin, use your unique gifts, callings, and resources for the greater good. Get in touch with the needs of your cabin and address them. 

• Are you FREE to move about with purpose and passion? What is standing in the way of  you going where the unseen pilot wants to take you? Unload your heavy bags in whatever form they are in and limit the carry-on items to things that feed your spirit. You need to be free to move about and carry out your purpose. 

Enjoy the ride!