On some of my many experiences of air travel, the door to the cockpit is open and I can see inside. The full panel of instrument gauges, switches, and levers are daunting! Twice I have been in a simulated cockpit with my son-in-law (a pilot), and tried my hand at “flying” a plane. It takes much training, and hours of supervised instruction to be able to fly and to understand what each gauge and dial indicates. Knowing how to use these is literally a matter of life or death, when flying thousands of feet in the air!
If a pilot plans to fly in inclement weather or at night, they need to be trained and tested on their competency, understanding, and ability to rely completely on the instruments in front of them. Upon successful completion of this level of training, they are rewarded with an “instrument rating” on their license.
What a significant correlation this has to our life and journey of faith! Many of us have a “fair weather” faith. We have much conviction, enthusiasm, and “faith” when everything is going well. Times when we sense God’s love, promises, and the new life we have in Him; all of which brings us much joy and confidence. Then the storms of life happen. Jesus told us we will face this. John 16:33, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (NLT) Some storms are minor and don’t trouble us, other trials and sorrows are not minor. They may rock our very core, cause us to have a “crisis of belief” *. Truths you understood and held dear are under attack, or your faith challenged when prayers don’t seem to be answered. These are the very experiences God allows so we can learn how to navigate our lives when the view in front of us isn’t clear. “We walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV) God’s Word is our “flight manual”. His truth learned and wisely applied is the training we all need in order to “fly” in all types of conditions. Knowing the instruments in the cockpit enables a pilot to stay on course; God’s Word does the same for us as we navigate our course in life.
There are many truths (“instruments”) by which to live, but I want to mention 3:
¬Love the Lord, your God with all your heart, soul, and mind…and to love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus said this is the Greatest Commandment. See Matthew 22: 36-40
¬Obey His commandments. Again, Jesus said, “If you love Me, obey my commandments.” John 14:15
¬Be thankful. We are taught in I Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (NKJV)
As with all the entries I have written, I write with the perspective that these are experiences from which I am learning or truths I am seeking to develop. The more I seek to understand and follow the Lord, the more I am aware of the need I have of His grace and direction in my life! The truths I listed are not simply “should do’s”, but instruments on God’s “cockpit panel”. Crucial truths that steer us through the storms and land us safely home!
Our salvation and eternal life is secured ONLY through belief in and receiving forgiveness through the saving work of Christ alone on the cross, and His resurrection. “For by grace we have been saved by faith, and not by works...” Ephesians 2:8-9 But, the type of “faith flights” we will have, depend upon how much we let God be our flight instructor!
In my last entry “A Road Closed” I added a link to music and lyrics of a hymn “Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord”. When your faith flight is taking you through storms, let those words be your prayer!
*(Henry Blackaby, Richard Blackaby, Claude King “Experiencing God” 2008, Published by B & H Publishing Group Nashville, TN )