How Not to Save Money

If I wrote a book on “How Not to Save Money,” I would have plenty of personal stories to share. Here is a recent one.
I just returned from a wedding in Montana. I had the privilege to lead a ceremony for a therapist who was marrying a doctor on the border of West Glacier National Park. It was a heavenly scene.

The sun shined like God was smiling on the outdoor pavilion overlooking the forest. The leaves of thousands of trees were turning gold and yellow like the setting sun. The harpist played as the wedding party took their places. The guests laughed and cried during the ceremony and the reception as they heard stories of this romance. It was a special treat for a hundred friends to share in this celebration.

I had flown into Kalispell on Saturday night. It was an $80 Uber ride to my motel room from the airport. On the drive, I had a great talk with the driver about football, fishing, and the Lord. However, to save money, I decided to ask a few people about catching a ride back to the airport the day after the ceremony.

At brunch that morning, I talked with two people who were on my connecting flight through Denver, before they flew to Chicago and I went on to Phoenix. They had room for me, so we agreed to meet at the restaurant at 12:30 for the 45 minute trip. I put my suitcase in the back of their vehicle and then took off on a hike along the Flathead River.

Looking down from a bridge, I saw a school of large trout feeding in the clear water. I found a trail that followed the river bank. The ground was soft, flowers were blooming, and the sun was mellow. I stared up at massive cedar and fir trees as I hiked through the forest. I hoped to bring our family here for a vacation someday. My only regret was that I had to get back in time to catch my ride.

I saw John and Eric in the car when I walked back to the restaurant, so I jumped in with them. We chatted as we waited for John’s wife to finish shopping. I was eager to get going because we had an hour and 45 minutes before our flight departed and a 45 minute drive ahead of us. John drove at a leisurely pace once we got on the road. The mountains were beautiful and our conversation was interesting.

However, I get anxious when I have to check luggage and go through security at an airport on a tight schedule. It is hard for me to “stay in the moment” and enjoy the drive when I am running late. There was traffic and traffic lights in abundance as we approached Kalispell. I finally saw the sign, “Glacier International Airport” and suggested John change lanes to make the turn. What he said surprised me.

“My GPS says we still have another ten miles to go. That is one of those smaller airports. We should be there in 15 minutes.”
I wondered how many international airports they had in this little city. I looked at my phone. It was 1:30, an hour before our departure. I got quiet. They could tell I was anxious and reassured me if we arrived 45 minutes ahead of our flight, we should be fine.

Every time we stopped at a red light, I felt more stress. As we wound our way through small city streets, something didn’t seem right. We finally arrived at a tiny airport. John said “I don’t think this is it. I must have clicked on the wrong airport when my GPS brought them up on the screen.”

Now we were all uptight. John swung the car around and headed back to the airport we had passed earlier. It looked like we would arrive 20 minutes ahead of our flight at best. If I made the flight, I doubted my bag would make it.

John’s wife prayed out loud for the Lord to make a way for us. She needed to get home to take care of her children. I added a weak, “Yes Lord, please.”

I contemplated my dilemma. When we travel together, my family tells me I need to “chill.” They say I take too much control. I try to follow their advice. I try to chill and let others take the lead. So, I didn’t insist we turn in to International Airport when we drove past it the first time. I was trying to chill.

Sometimes when I chill, things don’t go well. That’s what makes me want to take control. When situations look risky, I prefer my leadership and decision making.

As John stepped on the gas and weaved through traffic, I did the math in my head. If I missed the flight, it could cost $1000 to get a hotel and book a new flight to Phoenix the next day. I’d also miss my men’s group the next day.

Before we got to the airport Eric said to me, “You can go first. I don’t have a lot going on tomorrow and it’s not that big a deal if I miss the flight.” He was giving me permission to grab my bag first and run ahead of him. He was not asking to be reimbursed or putting his needs ahead of us. I was convicted by the Spirit.

I’m preaching this Sunday on a passage which includes Philippians 3:3. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh.

I have been preaching and teaching the gospel for fifty years. Yet, under pressure, it can be easier for me to put confidence in the flesh than trust the Lord. I often struggle doing the very thing Eric offered me. Those who put the needs of others first, even when it costs them time and money, are serving God by his Spirit. They are living like Jesus.

We arrived at the airport. I grabbed my suitcase and backpack and ran to the ticket counter. We all made the flight along with our luggage. God’s grace was sufficient in spite of my weakness.

In Eric, I had seen an example of faith that stays with me. If our lifestyle matches our theology, then our lives in Christ can be powerful and not just philosophical.