What We’re Here For

This is the EAA AirVenture week. For most of you, that means nothing. But for aviation enthusiasts, it’s the largest gathering of pilots, airplanes, and general aviation vendors in the world. All in little Oshkosh, Wisconsin. About 700,000 people and over 10,000 aircraft will have flooded airport grounds by the week’s end. Many pilots from around the country flew their airplanes in and are camping under the wing of the airplane. During this week, OSH is the busiest airport in the world.

The education forums and vendor displays are very helpful for pilots, and for me. It’s just a lot of fun learning more about my “healthy distraction.”

I’ve been coming for only a day or two each year for the last five years. But this year, Linda and I decided to vacation for the week, and we are camping on the grounds (along with 40,000 other campers).

Next to us is an interesting couple. They drove here from Kansas City and are tent camping. They drove all the way up here for AirVenture, with daily airshows, exhibits, demonstration events, etc. But so far, I have not seen them leave their campsite. They putz around, making food on their camp stove, tightening the tent, unpacking and repacking, and sitting in their lawn chairs. But it doesn’t appear they are taking in any of the event on the airport itself.

It makes me wonder… are they here for what they supposedly came for? Or is it just for the entertainment of camping and relaxing? Which is fine…it’s their money and their time.

But I also wonder this way about a lot of people and their calling to Jesus’ mission. How many churches are truly focused on what we are here for: The Great Commission?

And what about you? Jesus’ calling is: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” And, “Go into all the world and proclaim the Good News!”

Are you? Are you fishing for people, inviting them to follow Jesus? Are you openly proclaiming God’s goodness to those in your world?

Linda and I took a rare moment just now to sit in our lawn chairs while I’m catching up on emails and this blog. To my left, I see my nice neighbor, once again busy around his campsite. He’s digging through a bin…while there are airplanes flying overhead, training seminars a mile or so from us, and education exhibits with people crowded around. But my friend here is just putzing. Again, I’m not sure why he came.

What about you? What are you busy doing in this temporary life? And how will that impact the rest of eternity? Are you here doing what God has you here for?