A License to Fly

I’ve spent the past couple of days looking for the right documents that will allow the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue me a Travel ID. Apparently, this will soon be required to board an airplane in the United States. Finding the appropriate documents should have been an easy task, but my situation is complicated by the fact that I have a mailing address that differs from my residential address. The government is not interested in the location of my mailbox; they just want me to prove who I am and where I live. I finally assembled my current drivers license, birth certificate, passport and two utility bills I retrieved from the internet showing the correct address. Success!

A trip to the DMV can be quite an adventure, so I dutifully made an appointment for 7:50am at the office in the small town just east of my home. I was relieved to find the place was not crowded. A sweet lady (yes, they really exist at this DMV) quietly asked how she could help and directed me to the guy manning the camera. I would have spent more time on my appearance had I known they would be taking my picture. After the photo session I was sent to the “Fast Pass” line because I had an appointment. With only a two minute wait, I was called to the desk where a nice lady by the name of Patricia processed my paperwork, but first I had to read the eye chart. Another surprise! I admit, I’m a little bleary-eyed early in the morning but managed to read line 5 with no problem. Following a quick review of the documents and a payment of $32, I left with my temporary Travel ID in hand. Start to finish the process took no more than 10 minutes. That’s a miracle!

All of this made me think about going to heaven one day. I don’t need documents to prove who I am. God knew me before I was born. I don’t need an appointment because Jesus is waiting to greet me at just the right time. There is no need to sign in, my name is already written in the Book of Life. Payment isn’t necessary because Jesus paid the price when He died for me on the cross. My job is to believe that Jesus saved me from the penalty of my sins through His grace and to trust Him with my life. When it’s my time to go I have a License to Fly straight to my heavenly home.

God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

Ephesians 2:8