A man or woman can work a lifetime to build a reputation and yet have his or her life defined in a single act. On January 14, 2009, few people knew who Chesley Sullenberger was. He was just another unknown airline pilot. On January 15
th
all of that changed. He was the pilot in charge of US Airways Flight 1549 as they flew over the Hudson River in Manhatten, New York. Things went wrong and Captain Sullenberger landed his passenger jet in the Hudson river. There was no loss of life and the previously unknown pilot became an instant national hero.
This article is not about his flying skills. In the months that followed this event, Captain Sullenberger wrote a book called “Highest Duty.” In his book he tells of what life is like with his new hero status. When he speaks over the intercom on flights, after he says his name he has to pause because the people on the flight clap for him. Experiencing this, he wrote,
"I flew thousands of flights in the past 42 years but my entire career is now being judged by how I performed on one of them. This has been a reminder to me that we need to try to do the right thing every time to perform at our best because we never know which moment in our lives we will be judged on."
As you read this passage again, think of two short verses from God’s Word.
(1) Ecclesiastes 7:1 – “A good name is better than fine perfume.”
For all those times when you get it right there is a great reward. It is not someday in the sky, but now. Because you did the right thing, you have a good name.
(2) Ecclesiastes 10:1 – "As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor."
For those times when you get it wrong, for those times when you act out or make poor choices, there are always consequences. A dead fly in the perfume runs everything.
Be on guard to how you live your life. You reputation here and eternity there hang in the balance. A moment of folly or a moment of greatness can change everything.
Lonnie Davis
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