The Parable of the Flight

I've received a lot of hysterical feedback on last week's article, "I Crossed Paths With An African Chief." I'm glad so many of you are enjoying my past as I have. What I find to be just as hysterical is the fact that I'm going to be boarding a plane home in nine days. I can testify of all RM's ever: missions goes by quicker than you could ever imagine!

As I wrote last week's article, I realized that the process of taking a plane flight is a lot like a mission.

Here ye, therefore, the parable of the flight:  

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Before the actual flight, physical and mental preparations are made by the passengers in anticipation of the trip. After arriving at the airport, baggage is inspected at security checkpoints and flight itinerary is checked. From there, the trip to the terminal can be frenzied and rapid (as so many of us can attest to) in worry that the flight could be missed. Upon arriving at the terminal, the passengers are finally permitted to board the plane. Soon enough, carry-on baggage is safely secured in the overhead compartments, seat-belts are fastened, and the plane approaches the runway.

The take-off is rapid and quick, the ascension to cruising altitude is exciting. All passengers on the plane have a similar destination in mind, but the flight is different for every passenger as the plane reaches cruising altitude. The airline ensure that the best pilots and air hostesses provide their passengers with the best experience possible. All are provided with complementary food and drink, though the option to purchase additional sustenance is readily available. Passengers have either purchased to sit in first class while others have chosen economy. Some passengers entertain themselves with the in-flight entertainment. Others (attempt to) sleep while others carry on working on their laptops and phones.

Eventually, the pilot announces the commencement of the final ascent, and all return to their seats, buckle up, and get ready to land. As the plane floats down into the clouds, all passengers eagerly look out of their windows to behold their long-awaited destination. The plane soon crawls out from the condensation and the sight of land is once again seen. The plane slows its speed, approaches the runway, and gracefully glides onto the concrete.

After the plane docks, all passengers quickly unbuckle their seat belts and reach for their carry-on baggage and file out of the plane in an energetic shuffle to dive into the world awaiting them outside of the confides of the plane.

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Now, as you read through Elder Benson's quick analysis of the process, I hope you missionaries/RM's were able to pick up on a few parallels between a flight and a mission. For those who have yet to embark in such a work, here's what Elder Benson could offer (I'll avoid the pre-mission goodies and jump straight into what I desire for you to take away):

The MTC is rapid and quick, and the missionary soon arrives in their destined mission. All missionaries on mission have a similar destination in mind, but each mission is different for everyone. The Lord ensures that the best Mission President and wife are provided to give their missionaries the best experience possible. The Church provides many booklets such as 'Preach My Gospel','Adjusting to Missionary Life', and 'The First Twelve Weeks' (all of which have proven to be life-savers).Yet, even with all resources available, the missionary ultimately decides if they will make the most of their mission. They have the option to invite others to come unto Christ, or to 'sleep through' their mission, trying their best to cruise through their time in the mission field. They have the choice to change their behavior for the space of a few years, or to transform their nature for a lifetime.

Eventually, the final ascent of the mission arrives and the missionaries board a plane home. They take their seats, buckle up, and take off in the plane for the final time. As the plane floats down into the clouds, all missionaries eagerly look out of their windows to behold their long-awaited home. The plane soon crawls out from the condensation and the sight of land is once again seen. The plane slows its speed, approaches the runway, and gracefully glides onto the concrete.

After the plane docks, all missionaries quickly unbuckle their seat belts and reach for their carry-on baggage and file out of the plane in an energetic shuffle to dive into the world awaiting them outside of the confides of the plane. They finally embrace their families and loved ones, get released by their Stake President from full-time missionary service, and take off their name badge.

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I suspect that the experience of taking off the name badge is most painful part of missionary service. It can be painful because the missionary is full of regret of wasting their time as a proselyting missionary, or it can be painful because the missionary truly consecrated their time as an ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that each of you who embark in the service of God as a missionary will take this blessed opportunity to consecrate your short time as an ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ in the service of your God and your fellow men, which will inevitably transform your nature.

My grandmother served as a mission president's wife a decade ago, and she sent me a most wonderful letter that I thought would really round off this parable of a missionary trek.

"The mission is the beginning of a lifelong upward trajectory of becoming better, finer, more mature. Now that you know how to find truth you're so much better prepared to find your future through the divinely guided, clear, most direct path to success and happiness. I think it's always a bit of a shock to come back into what is sometimes called the "real world".  Just remember, you're in the real world now. What a privilege to be able to serve the Lord full time. That is as real as it gets. The worldly world dims by comparison. But it's still a beautiful world and you're destined to have a beautiful life--made all the better by having honorably served a beautiful mission." -Elaine Benson

Photo with the Roodeport Zone.  Seven countries represented in this zone alone. #funfact #onlyfivefromUtah