Purpose In the Clouds

I don’t know what it is about plane rides, but I’ve had some incredible, sacred conversations with people I’ve never talked with before and probably never will again, flying through the “friendly skies.”

I had the pleasure of another one on a recent flight to New York City as a young man, around 30, my son’s age, cracked the door open to the deeper places of his heart. I knew I was facing a holy moment that I prayed to handle with care.

He didn’t bring anything to read, wasn’t preoccupied with his phone, and didn’t slap headphones in his ears, so we began chatting. 

Getting to know each other, we talked about what we did in our daily lives. As I shared with him that I had just finished a book, his eyes lit up, and he asked what it was about. I said, “The power of the heroes of the faith to help us fulfill our purpose.”

“Purpose,” he said, “That’s hard. I have no idea how to find mine.”

“Really?” I responded, giving him space to say more.

“Yeah. I’m working at a job, but I have no idea if it’s what I’m supposed to be doing.”

We talked about how difficult it can be for people to know their purpose, but by staying open to God and walking through the doors he opens, we can find it.

He talked about the vastness of the universe and, knowing that there was more than the dimension he could see with his physical eyes, said, “Open, that’s where I’m at, like with mushrooms.” Suddenly, I knew he was talking about hallucinogenic mushrooms that he was using to open himself to the spiritual dimension.

Yikes! I’d never shot up a silent prayer so fast, “Oh, Holy Spirit, give me wisdom.” 

I’ve had some experience with young people talking about this before. Every person is on a spiritual journey. How would I respect the spiritual hunger this young man was exhibiting while, at the same time, sharing the truth that would bring him the revelation of the Creator he knew was out there; the only way to ever fulfill his purpose like he was aching to?

Leaning into the Holy Spirit for wisdom, I just “happened” to be holding the little book of Ephesians from our sermon series in my lap. I hadn’t had a chance to read the whole thing and was prompted to do that on this flight.

Affirming his understanding that there is more in the world than we can see with our eyes, I shared my journey of finding God. Also, there are many spiritual powers, and when we open the door to that dimension, it is critically important that we know which power we are opening ourselves to. The only safe, true spiritual power to open ourselves to is Jesus, found in the Bible, which this little book I was holding was from.  

He seemed receptive and stayed open as we enjoyed the rest of our flight. Chatting about different topics, he brought up podcasts and veered off into his desire to host one. When I told him that I had one, his face lit up again. Then, caught me off guard when he said, “No way, Dude!!”

It’s been a minute since this 57-year-old grandmother has been called “Dude,” and it makes me smile even now. 

Opening the podcasts on my phone, I showed him the image and title. Later, as the plane landed and we were saying goodbye, he told me that he’d found it and was going to check it out.

Praying the words from Ephesians 1:17 for this precious young man,

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened that you may know this hope to which he has called you.” 

I hope that he does and that he’ll discover all he’s been looking for.

Maybe someday, I’ll get an email with a “Yo, Dude, I found him!” in the text and remember that delightful flight.