On our way home from a recent visit to Florida, the flight attendant asked a particular couple to move from row 10 to row 15.  They were the same seats, only five rows back.  It was a sold-out, 30-seat airplane.  The flight attendant told the couple that they needed the seats because there were several infants in the laps of parents, and row ten had extra oxygen.   I was astonished that the couple in row ten was unwilling to give up their seats following her request.

The flight attendant kindly asked again, “this is the only row with double oxygen masks for infants.”  The couple insisted they were comfortable, and they were not moving.  The flight attendant was shocked and so were others around them.  I couldn’t believe it!  I was ready to get up and intervene but just then the flight attendant clearly stated:  “I’m sorry.  You don’t have a choice; we are not able to leave the runway unless you get up and move to row 15.”  They sheepishly stood up and moved to row 15.

As I witnessed this unbelievable exchange, I thought about how often I’ve become comfortable in my seat, how complacent I have become in my ‘row 10’ and place in life.  I also thought of how you and I perhaps are similar to the couple not willing to give up their comfortable spot to provide oxygen, to provide hope and life for someone else.

I believe God has called you and me to make the bold move out of our row 10 and move to a “new seat” that provides life and opportunity.  I believe our Lord is inviting us to know and love Him more deeply and to offer that love and service back to the world and His church.

As we allow God to become the center of our life through prayer and the sacramental life of our church, as we allow the Holy Spirit to change our direction to become more Christ-like, we will have the ‘heart’ to follow Jesus and our Lord will transform us, renewing our mind and spirit.

We must ask God to ‘renew a steadfast spirit within us” and redirect our lives toward His kingdom.   ‘Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God’.  (Matt 5:8)

St. Paul clearly tells us to put off our old self and be made new in the attitude of our minds and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.  Ephesians 4:22-24.  This new self will have a thirst to serve, a thirst to read God’s word, a thirst to pray, a thirst to be in a relationship with Jesus Christ and serve others including the ministries of our Church.

I am asking that you stand up and make the move from ‘your row ten’ and contemplate how our Lord is leading you to contribute your talents and gifts to build Christ’s body at Holy Apostles.  It is time to get out of our comfort zone and make small but important changes in our lives.

It is the Holy Spirit who gives us our gifts and calls us to service and we need to seek His guidance in our lives (1 Corinthians 12:11). Where is your heart, what do you desire to do for others? Do you have a heart for people? Do you wish to share the Word of God and the Holy Apostolic Faith with others? When you are clothed in Christ and part of our Holy Orthodox Church, you are a part of the body and the Lord has plans and desires for you to serve.  Jesus said where your treasure is there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21) What treasure do you have to serve?

May we challenge, encourage and support one other to walk in love as imitators of Christ. Through the grace of the Holy Spirit, may we become a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God!  It’s time for all of us to get out of ‘row ten’ and joyfully walk as children of light, giving ourselves for God’s glory.

Fr. Tom