“Zabeth, ever wonder why flight attendants will ask passengers to open window shades, seats in upright position, keep all things like laptop in your bag & dim light of the cabin during take-off and landing? Here's the answer,  the most critical in flying is takeoff  2nd is the landing, if anything happen like plane crash, the flight attendant are the ears & eyes of the captain, once abandon plane is given by the captain, flight attendant will check if right wing is on fire, passengers will be evacuate on the left door, or if left wing is on fire you go to the right door, seat are properly up position so that passengers at the back could get out easily, plane seats are fire resistant. Dim light so that your eyes can easily adjust to the situation, another thing rescue party when arrive as window  shades are open they can see what is the situation inside the plane, are there any survivors, if the captain died the first officer or co-pilot will give command to abandon plane, if he is also killed the 2nd officer or another co-pilot will give command, but if all 3 crews are dead, the chief purser or overall head of the flight attendant will give command to abandon plane.”

This message greeted me in a Viber GC amidst the Jan. 1 chaos at the airport and the discoveries wowed me, as it did other members of the GC. All of a sudden, those over-familiar instructions took on a whole new meaning.

I don’t know about you, but I am a very compliant passenger, even though some don’t make sense to me. Why should I roll up the window shade? Why can’t I recline an inch to relieve my back? But now that I know, I would probably be tempted to do an Indian-slap to the makukulit, for the simple reason that it is for the safety and efficient rescue action for everyone, including the matitigas ang ulo.

It made me reflect on God’s inconvenient, “killjoy,” and difficult commandments that are giving me FOMO vibes. But then I remind myself that God is a good and loving Father who only wants the best and more importantly, KNOWS what the best is for me---and you. It might be a hassle now but it is soul-saving and God-pleasing in the end. More than the captain speaking, it is the Creator of the universe speaking.