Our natural state

The airplane graveyard

Corrosion is defined as the process by which a refined metal reverts back to its natural state. Once corrosion is allowed to begin, it eats away at the airplane like a cancer. If left unchecked it will destroy the airplane. At most airports there is a spot on a ramp nicknamed the graveyard. The graveyard is where airplanes are left to sit and corrode. After a few years of corrosion being allowed to take over, the airplane can no longer fly. Not because the parts are bad, but because it is so corroded inside and out that it is no longer airworthy. 

Free from corrosion 

Sin in our lives works the same way. It causes us to revert back to our natural state: our old sin nature. If left unchecked it will destroy our lives, eating away at us until we are no longer able to fly. The way that pilots and mechanics prevent corrosion is by constant cleaning and inspection inside and outside of the airplane. The parts most susceptible to corrosion, such as the landing gear, engine exhaust areas, and recessed/hidden areas, are constantly checked by maintenance to ensure that the parts are free from corrosion. Seaplanes, which are in constant contact with marine water,are checked daily for corrosion. We need to treat our lives the same way, finding where we are most susceptible to sin and constantly checking to ensure that we are free from sin in those areas. Inspecting ourselves and cleaning ourselves inwardly should be part of our daily routine. Washing ourselves in God's word and in His truth. Keeping ourselves clean from the sin that will destroy us. Planes that are inspected and cleaned look beautiful as they fly through the sky, the sun shinning off their wings. Planes can do a lot more work when they are free of corrosion just as we can do more for God's Kingdom when we are free from sin. 

Fuji T-34

And there is hope for us when we examine ourselves and realize that we have allowed sin to begin its destructive work in our lives. Corrosion can be removed by scraping it away or tearing out a section and replacing a part. Its not easy to free an airplane from corrosion, but with careful perseverance an airplane can be restored. This airplane is a Fuji T-34. It was shipped from Japan to America in 1971. For years it sat at an airport, unable to be flown. A mechanic friend of mine worked on restoring the airplane to its former glory and in 2007 flew it for the first time since it had left Japan. With careful work he was able to make it beautiful again. God can do the same for us. He takes us out of the airplane graveyard and cleans all the corrosion off, giving us new life in Him. We will always have a tendency to return to our natural state, but by careful inspection and cleaning we can prevent sin from destroying our lives.