When the Second World War broke out, leaders quickly realized that it was going to be fought in the air as much as on the ground, so pilot training became a huge priority.
Unfortunately, the United Kingdom was not a suitable training ground because it was too close to the front lines and its weather was too unpredictable. Thus, in 1939, the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan was born. Under this plan, pilots would be trained in safe countries and then be moved to the front lines.
Across the Canadian prairies, huge airports were constructed. You may remember seeing those. However, did you know that every airport also had several relief fields?
A relief field was another set of runways, usually built within a 15-mile radius, that could be used by the pilot if he had an issue and could return to his base. Relief fields usually had a hanger, maybe a small barracks and a few mechanics. Interestingly, if you look at a satellite map of the area around an old airport, you can still see the remnants of these relief fields.
So, why am I telling you this? Well, imagine that you are a young pilot, newly trained, facing an emergency. You look out and see nothing but plowed fields, rocks, sloughs, and trees. You think you are going to die. Then, you see the relief field. A safe place to land that has people who can help you.
The church needs to be a relief field.
We need to be a place of help and support. A place where people care. We need to do this, not because we are so great, but because kindness reflects the nature of God. Kindness is one of the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Kindness describes Jesus and his mission: “When the kindness and love of God appeared, he saved us” (Titus 3:4). God’s kindness is a key feature of the Gospel message (Ephesians 2:1-7; note verse 7).
When kindness is our first reaction, we represent our father well. Kindness gives people hope. Kindness draws people towards God and repentance (Romans 2:4).
In a world where many are in trouble and have nowhere to turn, the church needs to be a safe place to land.
