As Mark Gubin sat on the roof of his art studio watching low-flying airplanes pass over and land at Milwaukee’s Mitchell international airport, he thought about painting a sign to welcome travellers to Milwaukee. Then he had an even better idea.
He grabbed a paint roller and in six-foot-tall white letters he wrote, “Welcome to Cleveland!”
The sign on the roof did not bother the pilots. They had radar, GPS, and ground communication that assured them that they were landing in Milwaukee as planned. However, for more than forty years, Gubin’s misleading sign has caused a great deal of trouble for the flight attendants. Routinely, people still look out the window, see the message on the roof and then panic thinking that they somehow got on the wrong flight.
The difference between the pilots and the passengers is simply knowledge. The pilots are certain about their path and where they are heading, while the passengers are unsure.
One of the blessings of faith is that it gives us knowledge so that our lives have purpose and direction. In fact, on the night of his crucifixion, Jesus said to his followers, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going” (John 14:1-4).
The city of Milwaukee does not allow big misleading signs along the airport’s flight path anymore, but Gubin’s sign was grandfathered in and remains to this day. By now, most people are aware it is a joke and are not confused by it any longer. However, flight attendants are still quick to reassure confused passengers that they are on the right flight and are headed to the proper destination.
Our enemy would like us to become confused and lose our way. Do not let that happen! Keep reading the Bible, praying, and trusting. God will direct you home.
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
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