We were running way too late. And heavy Beijing traffic brought our taxi to a complete stop. Our driver informed us that the only way we could possibly make it to the station before our train left was the subway. So my husband handed him the money, flung open the door, and the two of us raced toward the nearest subway stop. 

Four stops. Another subway line. Ten more stops. The minutes were ticking. When we had a mere twenty minutes until our train left, my husband said, “There’s no way we can make it.” I grasped at some positivity, “I think we can. Maybe the train will be late.” 

Dashing out of the subway station onto the street, we sized up the long block between us and our destination. Moving as fast as we could, we jumped in the back seat of an available taxi. Out of breath, we explained that our train was leaving in 10 minutes. He got us a bit closer to the station and advised us to not cut it so close next time. 

Sprinting toward the station, I decided to take a risk. I knew that waiting in line for my two bags to be scanned would take precious time. So I ran right through security, yelling, “来不及!” (not going to make it, no time!) 

No one stopped me.

Bumping down the stairs and then along the platform, we leaped onto the train just moments before it pulled out. 

I considered it to be a moment of victory. But now, when I reflect on my security check avoidance, I’m more aware of what the purpose of the scanner actually is. Checking inside our bags to see if they’re safe to go on is like Paul’s exhortation to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. If there’s something harmful inside what we’re carrying, some alarms need to go off. I chose to break through security and it helped us to be able to make our train. But breaking through security measures of thought checking actually isn’t wise.

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5