This week, my husband reached an important milestone. He passed his pilot’s test! So in honor of my “Top Gun’s’ great achievement, I would like to share these thoughts with you…

A pilot knows he/she cannot allow being off the exact heading (or desired direction or course). The plane will automatically drift and will eventually end up several miles off course in just minutes if careful attention is not paid to the aircraft instruments. The pilot could peak out the window for visual cues down on Earth but it can look deceptive from 5,000 feet up. It’s best to check the airplane instruments to get an accurate measure of where the plane is and where it is headed.

Some other dangers a pilot might run into are stormy weather, mechanical problems or unexpected air traffic. But a skilled pilot is trained to handle all these scenarios beforehand if he ever finds himself in trouble. And a wise pilot knows that if there is any sign of a coming storm, the best plan of action is to avoid it if possible.  Also, learning to communicate with the air traffic controllers below is crucial!

If we go through life without reading God’s Word consistently or fail to stay in constant communication with Him, and just react to circumstances in life by what we see, we will eventually drift off course more than we think we will! Even small errors will grow into bigger ones later if not corrected right away. God’s Word guides our flight of life. He sets the course and equips us for safe travels.

God will always provide us a way out of trouble if we call on Him! He is faithful to answer our distress calls. But as the saying goes, ‘God wants to be our first responder not our last resort.’ We need to learn life’s training manual thoroughly. No, we can’t always be prepared for every single circumstance in life that comes our way, but we can prepare ourselves ahead of time for turbulent times. And we can trust our faithful Life Instructor, His Manual, His instruments and His Voice to bring us through any difficulty until we land safely!

‘All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…’ (2 Timothy 3:16)

‘No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.’  (1 Corinthians 10:13)

‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart
 and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.’  (Proverbs 3:5-6)

‘Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.’   (Psalm 119:105)