Trust the Pilot
I was listening to a pastor recently and he told a story that another pastor has shared. The pastor had talked about a flight he had taken during which they had experienced a lot of turbulence when they encountered a storm. He talked about how rough it had been and admitted that he had been as anxious as most of the passengers around him. However, he noticed something unusual in the midst of the storm and turbulence that caught his attention.
A young girl seated nearby seemed unaffected by the turbulence. She continued to read her book, oblivious to the storm around them. During some of the roughest moments of turbulence, she would briefly close her eyes for a second and then go right back to reading. The pastor was so impressed he decided to seek her out after the flight to ask her how she could be so calm. He stopped to talk to her when the flight landed, and her response brought tears to my eyes.
When questioned about how she could stay so calm in the storm she replied, “My daddy is the pilot and he’s taking me home.” Her faith in her father touched my heart and quickly convicted me. Her words are true of my life, but I must confess an embarrassing truth. I don’t always have the firm childlike faith that this sweet child expressed. My Father is the Pilot and He is taking me home. Knowing this Truth should help me to see that I have nothing to fear!
Children have a way of seeing things that adults seem to lose over the years. My daughter said something to me recently that left me torn between being challenged by what she said and battling a sudden temptation to throw something at her. She looked at me and said, “You know God is in control no matter what, so why are you stressing out about it?” I would love to tell you how spiritual and profound my thoughts were when she said that, but I can’t.
Much to my embarrassment, I have to confess the truth. In that moment, the first thought that went through my mind were these words. “Because I know that just because He’s in control doesn’t mean it won’t be hard, that it might not go badly.” Thankfully, I kept my thoughts to myself and did not voice them out loud. I hope you don’t think too badly of me, I wasn’t trying to be disrespectful. I was simply considering a hard truth that I have learned.
Just because God is in control (and I believe with all my heart that He is), doesn’t mean things won’t be difficult. Just because He is in control doesn’t mean that storms won’t come. I have learned that hard times, storms, and turbulence can all come into the life of a believer. Being a believer doesn’t exempt you from the difficulties. In fact, let’s be completely honest. Sometimes it brings more struggles into your life when you become a believer.
Perhaps this is why the preacher’s story touched my heart and challenged me the way it did. I needed to be reminded that my Father is the Pilot and He is taking me home. I don’t have to fear the storms of life; He will bring me safely home. Things may get rough on the journey, but in the end, He will make certain that I make it home. This world is not my home, I am just passing through. No matter what happens on the journey, He will make certain I make it home.
Dear heart, maybe, like me, you needed to be reminded that we can trust the Pilot. We don’t have to fear the storm, we just rest in the certainty that He is in control and trust Him. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” Joshua 1:9. When we remind ourselves who is in control, it helps us to be more courageous. It reminds us of important truths.
I can’t tell you that things will get better anytime soon. I wish I could. I can’t tell you that hard times won’t come. I can’t give you a storm-free forecast. However, I can promise you one thing with absolute certainty. You can trust Him to get you home. Fix your eyes on eternity, my friend, and remember what is waiting up ahead. Knowing what awaits you on the other side of the horizon, puts the struggles we face in this life into the proper perspective.
One of my favorite authors, C. S. Lewis put it this way. “There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” What a great reminder to hold on to! Home is the destination, my friend, that is what we must focus on. He is taking us home and we can trust Him to do just that. Until then, hold on to Him, trust Him, and do all you can to glorify Him on the journey. And while you are at it, don’t forget to invite as many people as you can to come Home with you.
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely, I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” Revelation 21:4-5
Katrina Douglas
