Seth MacFarlane is a rarity in Hollywood, due to the fact that he is immensely multi-talented. As an actor, animator, screenwriter, producer, director, comedian, and also as a singer, he has entertained global audiences for over two decades.
Yet, the man behind the TV shows Family Guy and The Orville, amongst other things, could have had his career cut short when it had barely begun.
On a fall day in 2001, Seth MacFarlane was running late for a flight. The night before, he had given a lecture at his alma mater, the Rhode Island School of Interior Design. His flight was in Boston, MA. Having gotten drunk after his lecture at his former college, that morning he was naturally late, tired, and hungover.
However, that was not his only issue. His travel agent had given him the wrong information, saying that his flight was to leave “ten minutes later than it did.”
When he finally got to the airport, in a November 2011 interview with Piers Morgan on Piers Morgan Tonight, Seth described what happened next:
“I got to the counter. And I said, yes, I’m booked on Flight 11. And the woman behind the counter said, you know, you’re too late. They just closed the gate. And I said, all right. Well, you know, I’ll take the 11:00.
Went into the lounge, fell asleep, woke up about 45 minutes later to a commotion, and the first plane hit. And sat there and watched the second plane hit. And they announced what flight it was. And I turned to the guy next to me and said, ‘my God, that was the flight I was supposed to be on. I was late. I missed it.’”
What was the flight Seth MacFarlane was supposed to be on? It was American Airlines Flight 11. What tower did the plane he was late for hit? The South Tower, formerly one of two towers known as the Twin Towers in New York City, NY.
What disastrous day did Seth MacFarlane escape, a day in which there would be 2,997 deaths of innocent Americans?
It was September 11, 2001.
You would think this would have been a “come to Jesus” moment for Seth. Yet, to this very day, Seth MacFarlane has remained a man that does not find comfort in religion. Much like his creative peers, the creators of The Simpsons and The Office, Seth MacFarlane is a well-known atheist.
Yet, despite his disbelief and hostility toward God, for only reasons God knows, with His grace and His mercy, He decided to spare Seth MacFarlane’s life that tragic day.
You may not be a world-famous celebrity. You most assuredly don’t have a net worth of $300 million like Seth MacFarlane does.
Yet, each and every man, woman, boy, and girl on earth all have two things in common: We all need grace and we all need Jesus.
Though it is so hard to remember, in these times, may we always remind ourselves of these facts. May we be thankful for all the times He has saved us from death, redeemed our mistakes, and given us a way out when no one else could. Regardless of our differences, in opinions, political beliefs, denominations, faith or lack of faith, and also our races, we are all in need of God’s grace, His mercy, and His salvation through His son Jesus.
Romans 3:23-24 NIV
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Until Next Time,
Jacob McGowen
The Adventures of A Warrior 