Stan loved to fly. He was a pilot. He also was an instructor and enjoyed teaching others to fly. His living, however, came from being an engineer. But whenever he could, he would fly. Even when a tornado flipped his Cessna into a lake and the cost turned out to be too great for him, he found a way to still keep flying by partnering with another pilot who also loved to fly.

For Stan, flying was more than motion. It was freedom. But over time and as Stan aged, his strength faded. His body slowed and cancer grounded him. There would be no more flying. Only driving back and forth to the doctors and to treatment centers. Until that one day when Stan met a Man who also loved freedom. It was a Man Stan knew and trusted throughout his whole life.

And that Man said to Stan, “Come to My Father’s house.” And just like that, Stan was grounded no more. In fact, in the words of Psalm 90:10, Stan disappeared and flew away.

Freedom is the promise for those who trust in that same Man and Savior, Jesus Christ. For them, this life is not the end. Death never grounds the flight. Even when the body breaks. Even when strength fades. Even when we feel grounded in grief or pain or in waiting.

But the invitation still stands. Come to the Father’s house. There’s no fear there. No regret. No sickness. No cancer. Just life. Peace. Truth. Love. And freedom. And when our own journey on this earth ends, if you listen and trust, you will hear that familiar voice say to you. “Come fly with Me. Come home to My Father’s house.”

And on that day, we will. Because the same Savior who called Stan home calls us by name.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, You are the Resurrection and the Life. Thank You for the promise that one day we will fly away and wake up at home with You. Give us strength for today. Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love. That we would sing for joy and be glad all of our days. Make us glad for as many days as You have afflicted us. For as many years as we have seen trouble, and may Your deeds be shown to Your servants, Your splendor to their children. And may we ever enjoy the freedom found in You. In Jesus’s name we pray. Amen.

ITTT