Trusting the Pilot

© 1998 Michael G. Parham

We are flying from Panama City to the San Blas Islands—the remote, tropical home of the Kuna Indians, off the Atlantic coast of Panama. Sitting near the back of the air taxi, approaching the postage stamp size runway, I suddenly wish I were near the front of the plane, or better yet, in the copilot’s seat. What if something happens to the pilot, or he makes a simple misjudgment? My hands involuntarily fidget as I imagine myself grasping the yoke and miraculously saving the lives of grateful passengers.

Several years ago, I owned a small plane. I loved flying at night under the full bubble canopy, seeing the stars in the darkness above me. And I enjoyed flying with the canopy open when the sky was clear and the air was warm. I’ve landed a few times on grass runways, and flown from Atlanta to Dallas in good weather. But I’ve never flown a ten passenger twin, or landed on a jungle strip with ocean at the end.

Even if I were in the copilot’s seat, and even if something did happen to the pilot, I have no confidence that I could land that plane, especially on that runway. Oh, I could probably pull back the throttle and ease in the yoke. But I’d never get through the right sequence of adjusting flaps, manifold pressure, carburetor heat, magnetos, and fuel tanks. I might get on the ground, and I might walk away, but it would be risky at best, and certainly not an experience to seek or fondly remember. It’s much better to remain calmly in my passenger seat and rely the one trained to do the job, and trust the sovereign God who ultimately has my life in His control.

It’s easy to imagine myself able to handle any circumstance, to become agitated when I realize that I’m not really in control of a given situation, and to resent the necessity of relying on others. But, the truth is, I am not equipped to do everything. The actions of others, and my dependence on them, significantly impact my life.

All Christians know the truth of Proverbs 3:5-7:

We pride ourselves on humbly surrendering to the "will of the Lord" or doing things "God’s way." But do we know that God’s way is often to trust those He brings into our lives? Do we acknowledge that we aren’t experts at everything, and that God has called and equipped others to lead us, counsel us, teach us, and, sometimes, admonish us? How egotistical we are to think that we don’t need others. How haughty we are to think that God will always speak directly to us, bypassing the very channels and instruments He has established for our instruction. How pompous to take offense when someone God has called offers guidance, counsel, or correction.

Most pilots recognize the serious responsibility they have for the lives of their passengers. Sometimes an egotistical, self-centered, glory-seeking jock comes along who is more impressed with himself than with his charges. And sometimes, people get hurt. But usually, people with the responsibility for others’ lives have that responsibility because they have proven themselves, demonstrated the ability to handle the responsibility, and trained more than adequately to fulfill that responsibility. And the same is true in the Church.

God raises up men and women, tests them, equips them, calls them, and trusts them to lead His people, the church. Sometimes, I think I should be ready to seize control—just in case something happens. I might fidget, imagine bad events, and look at the destination as hopeless. But, unless it is the area where I am the person responsible—where I’ve been trained, tested, equipped, and authorized to take charge—I should rely on those who have the responsibility. To reject their instruction, and seize control when I’m ill equipped, is to act at my peril. Ultimately, the man up front isn’t in control. God is.

Sometimes I just have to sit back and trust the pilot.

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