The Pilot Knows

I was returning home from a trip to Florida, and shortly after takeoff, the pilot came over the intercom system to inform us that there were storm clouds ahead, and we would be experiencing some turbulence. He added that we should not be alarmed because the trouble would be brief. The flight continued for another twenty minutes and suddenly the plane started shaking and appeared to be veering off course. Minutes later, it appeared to be suspended in mid-air. One couldn’t help but notice how the shifts in the atmosphere were affecting the plane.

While experiencing the turbulence along with the other passengers, I was presented with many options as to how I would respond to what was taking place. I could have complained, blamed the pilot, become upset or entertained the thought that it was the result of some terrorist plot to kill more Americans. But I refused to accept any of the negative thoughts that came to mind. Instead, I continued to look out the window at the clouds beneath.

I’m not sure what motivate most writers, but it is in situations like this one that I do my best thinking. As the plane shifted, so did my thoughts. Instantaneously, the topic for this article came to mind.

The inspiration for me to write this article did not occur because we made it through those rough times without any major problems, but that the pilot knew and warned us ahead of time. How he knew before we were airborne may be a mystery to some people, but pilots must be knowledgeable about the changes in atmospheric pressures and how those changes will affect air travel. They must have as much knowledge about the storms that will be approaching as they do about the clear blue skies when the weather is calm.

If having the knowledge were all that is required of pilots, their lives would be simple. They must not only have the information, but they must have the capacity to share it those to whom they have been assigned (namely their passengers).

As I sat there absorbing all that had just occurred, I began to think about an incident involving Jesus and his disciples. Just as this pilot spoke to us with assurance, Jesus, too, warned his closest companions of the dangers (storms) they would encounter as a result of following Him. In the world you will have trouble, but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world. I’m not sure what type of feeling these words evoked in Jesus’ twelve companions, but I still get a rush at the thought of being an over comer. Therefore, I was able to sit calmly until the trouble ceased.

This place of "mental rest" is what the Lord expects from us when facing the daily obstacles in life. We must be aware that in life, people will speculate, assume, and even form their own opinions. Our assurance is that we don’t place our trust in people who speculate or assume, but we rely on the pilot (God) who knows what will happen in our lives.

Just as this pilot knew and warned us of the trouble ahead, God also warns his people of the turbulent times ahead, and has done so since the creation of the world.

In the book of Genesis 2:17, he warns his first created souls of the danger that would befall them if they didn’t heed the pilot’s warning. But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Just as I was tempted by the evil one with thoughts of danger, Adam was tempted in a different manner. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil and blessing and calamity Genesis 3:5. (Amp)

In understanding this declaration by Satan, we must be aware of the character of God, His Omniscience (ability to be all-seeing and all-knowing). For you see, it was God who created man and gave him the responsibility to make decisions that would determine what would happen to him.

As far as God was concerned, Adam could have existed forever in his naked and unsuspecting state. He could have lived in the garden totally oblivious of sin and its devastating results.

It was man’s disobedience that gave life new meaning. Since Adam’s fall, we have had to contend with sin and death. Before the incident in the garden, time had no significance. Man was created to live forever. To an ever-present God, time equals eternity.

Was the fact that man (who was created to live forever) would disobey and bring death to all a mystery to the pilot? No!! That is why the scripture declares "But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God…" Isaiah 59:2 (Amp)

The pilot knew ahead of time that His Son would be a ransom for all. "For our sake He (God) made Christ [virtually] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become the righteousness of God [in right relationship with God]…" II Corinthians 5:21(Amp)

God (who is our pilot, the one in control and who takes charge over our lives) knows all things. He is a righteous God. His desire is for His people to be in right relationship (right standing) with Him. He longs to bless us, but those blessings don’t come without a price. I hear many pie-in-the-sky preachers who talk of nothing but prosperity. I am not against being prosperous; in fact, I look forward to being blessed. But the fact that God desires my complete devotion is not lost with me. The scripture declares that our God is jealous and will not tolerate His children worshipping any gods other than Him.

The phrase "any gods" comes in many forms. That thing which you give all your attention to is your god, whether it is a human or some inanimate object.

While speaking of God as the pilot of our lives, I feel impressed to mention that oftentimes while driving, I see bumper stickers, which read, "God is my co-pilot." I’m not sure what those drivers’ ideas of God are, but I strongly declare that God is my pilot. And to consider Him anything other than that diminishes Him.

To make God my co-pilot is saying that when I become exhausted or incapable of functioning, then God will step in. I don’t think so! I can never equate myself to God. He doesn’t sit back waiting around until I can no longer function. He is working within me, doing His Will. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so is God’s ways above our ways, and His thoughts above our thoughts."

After our flight landed safely, and as the days continued to go by, I gained an even greater appreciation of God as the head (pilot) of my life. I am not sure what the future holds for me, nor do I know what my tomorrows will bring, but I can find sweet rest in knowing that I am the child of a "Pilot who knows" all things.

By: Travestine Wright