Last Sunday I made a passing comment about the importance of understanding the doctrine of vocation. This is the idea that every one of us has a calling, not just pastors, missionaries, evangelists and the like. God put us all on earth for a reason, and each of us should seek to glorify him by doing the very best job we can at whatever it is that he has given us to do. Today I was reminded of one off the most powerful illustrations of this truth I have ever seen. It’s a great story. Let me tell you about the greatest flight attendant I have ever seen – and I’ve seen a bunch of them!
A few years ago, Marco and I were flying back from some Central American country neither of us can remember. What we do remember is Clay. We boarded our Continental flight very early one morning and were among the first on board. We were greeted by a genuine smile and a man who simply exuded energy. He told us that his name was Clay and that he would be taking care of us that morning.
“Don’t hesitate to ask me for whatever you need. That’s my job. I want you to have a great flight.” Or something to that effect. We just remember the obvious sincerity and enthusiasm with which he spoke while we were trying to just wake up.
Soon, Clay was working the entire aircraft. He greeted each and every passenger with a unique greeting that was no less sincere and warm. We soon noticed that he did a very serviceable job with Spanish and had a knack for knowing which language to speak to whom. A lady was beginning to lift her bag into the overhead space when we heard, “Stop! Please, Madam, let me do that. Please let me help you. I’m happy to do that for you.” From that point on he seemed to be everywhere at once. Within five minutes he had sweat through his shirt. Perspiration flowed from his forehead, but could not wash away his smile or quench the warmth of his voice.
Marco and I sat in a pure amazement. We were in the presence of a rare individual. Someone who is the very best at what they do. A couple settled in just behind us and across the aisle. Neither Marco and I remember whether it was German or French, but Clay had soon greeted them in their language as well.
For the entire flight there was not the slightest hint of a letdown. When he spoke, he was careful to represent his company and mention the name Continental with great pride. “They don’t have the money to make a commercial this good!” I thought. No one would believe it anyway. But, here we were watching this man make an entire plane of people feel like they had a personal butler for the day. I wrote a letter of commendation to Continental when we got home. I used Clay as an illustration in a sermon not long after that.
Today, Marco and I stood outside the gate in Houston waiting to board our flight to Mexico City. Marco said, “Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like the past year or so many flight attendants have had somewhat of an attitude.”
“Yeah,” I said, “but do you remember Clay?” His eyes lit up and he smiled as we remembered that unique shared experience.
We boarded the plane and found our seats. I was on an aisle and he was across the aisle one row up. The flight was going to be full, and people were struggling to get on and find space for their bags. Marco leaned back, caught my attention and pointed to the front of the cabin. My eyes focused on a large black man bent over working on something. “Is that Clay?” Marco wondered.
“No!” I thought. “That’s too much. The world couldn’t be that small!”
He turned around. The smile, the voice – it was Clay! Hearing us speaking in Spanish, the Mexican man across from Marco, who must be a regular, said, “Sí, es Clay!”
He had not changed. We could not take our eyes off watching him work. Nothing was impossible. Nothing was too hard. Nothing was a bother. It was like watching Joe Montana flawlessly execute a two minute drill resulting in a winning touchdown. It was like watching Yo Yo Ma play his cello.
As late-arriving passengers sought in vain for a place to stow luggage, the other flight attendant offered no help and conveyed the attitude that they probably shouldn’t have brought anything on board anyway, that they made their own problem. Like Superman swooping down at the last instant, Clay would grab bags and begin to rearrange entire bins until somehow, someway he would make everything fit. He saw a long-legged, very tall man whose legs were cramping, and he successfully coaxed a passenger to happily relinquish an exit row seat so the tall dude could have a bit of comfort. I’m thinking maybe we should send Clay to negotiate peace in the Middle East.
Seriously, I was so encouraged to see someone so completely given to his job and to people. As we left the plane I told Clay that I had flown with him before, that he was the best I have even seen and that I had written a letter to Continental about him. I gave him my card and told him to let me know if I could ever serve him. He give me his card in return.
If you ever find yourself on a flight with Clay, tell him hello for me, and then sit back, enjoy and watch a master go about his work. The man is simply amazing. I don’t know a thing about his spiritual background, but I can tell you that he does a far better job of reflecting a bit of the joy and glory of God back to the human race than many professional Christian leaders I have known. How do you think you and I can learn from Clay’s example?
Marco and I will be teaching missions to a group of about 150 pastors and leaders here in Mexico City before heading home Thursday. I’ll keep you posted.
Clay – In Pursuit of Excellence
Last Sunday I made a passing comment about the importance of understanding the doctrine of vocation. This is the idea that every one of us has a calling, not just pastors, missionaries, evangelists and the like. God put us all on earth for a reason, and each of us should seek to glorify him by doing the very best job we can at whatever it is that he has given us to do. Today I was reminded of one off the most powerful illustrations of this truth I have ever seen. It’s a great story. Let me tell you about the greatest flight attendant I have ever seen – and I’ve seen a bunch of them!
A few years ago, Marco and I were flying back from some Central American country neither of us can remember. What we do remember is Clay. We boarded our Continental flight very early one morning and were among the first on board. We were greeted by a genuine smile and a man who simply exuded energy. He told us that his name was Clay and that he would be taking care of us that morning.
“Don’t hesitate to ask me for whatever you need. That’s my job. I want you to have a great flight.” Or something to that effect. We just remember the obvious sincerity and enthusiasm with which he spoke while we were trying to just wake up.
Soon, Clay was working the entire aircraft. He greeted each and every passenger with a unique greeting that was no less sincere and warm. We soon noticed that he did a very serviceable job with Spanish and had a knack for knowing which language to speak to whom. A lady was beginning to lift her bag into the overhead space when we heard, “Stop! Please, Madam, let me do that. Please let me help you. I’m happy to do that for you.” From that point on he seemed to be everywhere at once. Within five minutes he had sweat through his shirt. Perspiration flowed from his forehead, but could not wash away his smile or quench the warmth of his voice.
Marco and I sat in a pure amazement. We were in the presence of a rare individual. Someone who is the very best at what they do. A couple settled in just behind us and across the aisle. Neither Marco and I remember whether it was German or French, but Clay had soon greeted them in their language as well.
For the entire flight there was not the slightest hint of a letdown. When he spoke, he was careful to represent his company and mention the name Continental with great pride. “They don’t have the money to make a commercial this good!” I thought. No one would believe it anyway. But, here we were watching this man make an entire plane of people feel like they had a personal butler for the day. I wrote a letter of commendation to Continental when we got home. I used Clay as an illustration in a sermon not long after that.
Today, Marco and I stood outside the gate in Houston waiting to board our flight to Mexico City. Marco said, “Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like the past year or so many flight attendants have had somewhat of an attitude.”
“Yeah,” I said, “but do you remember Clay?” His eyes lit up and he smiled as we remembered that unique shared experience.
We boarded the plane and found our seats. I was on an aisle and he was across the aisle one row up. The flight was going to be full, and people were struggling to get on and find space for their bags. Marco leaned back, caught my attention and pointed to the front of the cabin. My eyes focused on a large black man bent over working on something. “Is that Clay?” Marco wondered.
“No!” I thought. “That’s too much. The world couldn’t be that small!”
He turned around. The smile, the voice – it was Clay! Hearing us speaking in Spanish, the Mexican man across from Marco, who must be a regular, said, “Sí, es Clay!”
He had not changed. We could not take our eyes off watching him work. Nothing was impossible. Nothing was too hard. Nothing was a bother. It was like watching Joe Montana flawlessly execute a two minute drill resulting in a winning touchdown. It was like watching Yo Yo Ma play his cello.
As late-arriving passengers sought in vain for a place to stow luggage, the other flight attendant offered no help and conveyed the attitude that they probably shouldn’t have brought anything on board anyway, that they made their own problem. Like Superman swooping down at the last instant, Clay would grab bags and begin to rearrange entire bins until somehow, someway he would make everything fit. He saw a long-legged, very tall man whose legs were cramping, and he successfully coaxed a passenger to happily relinquish an exit row seat so the tall dude could have a bit of comfort. I’m thinking maybe we should send Clay to negotiate peace in the Middle East.
Seriously, I was so encouraged to see someone so completely given to his job and to people. As we left the plane I told Clay that I had flown with him before, that he was the best I have even seen and that I had written a letter to Continental about him. I gave him my card and told him to let me know if I could ever serve him. He give me his card in return.
If you ever find yourself on a flight with Clay, tell him hello for me, and then sit back, enjoy and watch a master go about his work. The man is simply amazing. I don’t know a thing about his spiritual background, but I can tell you that he does a far better job of reflecting a bit of the joy and glory of God back to the human race than many professional Christian leaders I have known. How do you think you and I can learn from Clay’s example?
Marco and I will be teaching missions to a group of about 150 pastors and leaders here in Mexico City before heading home Thursday. I’ll keep you posted.