By Jesse McLoy
It was a warm night in El Paso. I sat playing on the floor as my mother and father listened to the radio. The sputtering noise of an airplane in distress caused us all to rush outdoors. A huge ball of fire billowed just below the top of Mt. Franklin. The plane, one of many stationed at Brigg’s Air Force Base during WWII, had just taken off and was trying to head for the pass, but engine trouble caused his quick descent. Rather than turn back across the city, the pilot chose to crash into the mountain. My father and mother rushed me inside, but my interest had been aroused. The crash scene responders had carried some of the aluminum from the scene to construct a cross and memorial which was placed at the site. Early in the morning the sun glinting off the cross could be seen from my front yard. It continued to intrigue me,
Many years had passed, and I was a young teen living with my mother and siblings in a single-parent home. I had convinced my neighborhood friends that we should climb to the site. We had made our way to the foot of the cliff just in front of the memorial site. We had chosen the direct route rather than take the time to use the established trail leading around the cliff. A narrow crevasse seemed to be easy climbed to the top of the cliff. Being the leader (instigator) of the trip, I felt that I should start the climb. The others quickly started to climb behind me. After only a couple of ledges, I heard the unmistakable whirrrr of rattlesnakes just above my handhold. I quickly released my hold and tumbled back on my friends. A jumble of boys landed at the bottom of the crevasse.
“I’m O.K”
“I’m fine.”
“Only scratched my knee… Let’s go home.”
I learned a good lesson about always looking for an escape route. This lesson was not only important from a physical safety standpoint, but more importantly, from a spiritual perspective. God has promised us in I Corinthians 10:13 “…God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
Many times during my youth and adult life, I have been able to find the escape route that led to spiritual safety. When I charged ahead, ignoring the warning signals, often the results lead to personal emotional distress and interpersonal conflict.
By the way, the cross still glints it the morning sun. I have yet to climb to the site.
Jesse McLoy is Associate Pastor at Crossroads Chapel in Lucerne Valley.