Don't Just Sit There!
Can you believe it? February is already here! The New Year has rushed in and January is history! It seems that time really does fly!
For me, the New Year has added a couple of new books to my reading list. Actually, one of the books isn't new to my bookshelf; it's just new to me. Both books are well worth the read —The Finishing Touch, a Daily Devotional, by Charles Swindoll and Not a Fan, by Kyle Idleman.
I began reading The Finishing Touch on January 1st and I must admit... I was deeply inspired by the first devotional. The topic fit the day very well. It was about breaking out of old, tired routines and starting fresh for the New Year. In the midst of the devotional, Swindoll wrote about a man named Larry Walters, also known as "Lawnchair Larry".
On July 2, 1982 Larry Walters, a truck driver by trade, decided to take flight. All his life, Larry dreamed about becoming a pilot. Sadly, due to his poor eyesight, the United States Air Force rejected Larry and it seemed that his dream to fly would never transpire. Then, one balmy Friday in San Pedro California, Larry’s twenty year plan swung into motion. He fastened 45 helium-filled weather balloons to a lawn chair. Then, strapped with a parachute and the necessary supplies (CB radio, pellet gun, camera, food and drink), he climbed in.
At this point you are probably wondering…what was his plan? Well… it was to float as high as possible and then systematically burst balloons with his pellet gun, one at a time, until he landed safely on the ground. The lawn chair's rapid ascent to almost 16,000 feet shocked Larry. Matter of fact, it took a few airline pilots by surprise as well.
Of course, the Long Beach Police were waiting to arrest Larry the moment his lawn chair returned to earth. His story was well publicized and when asked by a reporter why he had done it, Larry simply replied, "A man can't just sit around!"
In the end, Larry paid a $1,500 fine for breaking a variety of federal aviation regulations. He received invitations to be on the Tonight Show and the David Letterman Show. His exploits inspired comedy scripts, song lyrics, and were even highlighted on the first airing of Mythbusters. After the flight, Larry did a little bit of motivational speaking where he said, "It was something I had to do. I had this dream for twenty years, and if I hadn't done it, I think I would have ended up in the funny farm. I didn't think that by fulfilling my goal in life — my dream — that I would create such a stir and make people laugh."
Chuck Swindoll's devotional, Don’t Just Sit There, was designed to inspire readers to "get moving". Personally, I
was immediately inspired to get up and Google Larry Walters to find out if his story was true. It was! Larry Walters really did float 16,000 feet into the air while strapped to a lawn chair. In my opinion, Larry Walters was off his lawn chair! His actions bring to mind the words "Do not put the Lord your God to the test." Then again, in some strange way his actions caused me to pause and think.
Then, I read the rest of the story... after awhile Larry's celebrity status faded away. He struggled to find work and his fifteen minutes of fame did not bring in much money. Sadly in 1993, at the age of 44, Larry walked into the Angeles National Forrest and took his own life. Oh no! Why? I wonder if Chuck Swindoll knew this when he wrote the devotional.
This news changed my perspective on the entire story. You see, Larry never found what he was looking for. He lost hope. He didn’t need the temporary height of a lawn chair flight, nor did he need the white-hot lights of fleeting fame. What he needed was Jesus Christ.
Sadly, there are many people like Larry in the world — unfulfilled people who cling to temporary dreams with no eternal value. And as I read the end of his story, I wondered… what impact could Larry have made on the world if he had understood God’s plan for his life?
The complete story of "Lawnchair Larry" has inspired me and I pray it inspires you as well. May we all be willing to get up and go! May we actively share our faith in Jesus Christ with those who need to hear it most.
Remember this... you are loved and you are always in my prayers.
In Christ,
Cheryl
