The Pilot
Years ago, I was enthralled as I listened to a pastor who for several
years had faithfully served the church. His executive responsibilities had
taken him all over this country. As he concluded his message, he told of
one of the most frightening yet thought-provoking experiences of his life.
He had been on a long flight from one place to another. The first
warning of the approaching problems came when the sign on the airplane
flashed on Fasten your seat belts. Then, after a while, a calm voice said,
"We shall not be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a
little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened."
As he looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the
passengers were becoming apprehensive. Later, the voice of the announcer
said, "We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time
The turbulence is still ahead of us."
And then the storm broke. The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard
even above the roar of the engines. Lightning lit up the darkening skies,
and within moments that great plane was like a cork tossed around on a
celestial ocean. One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific currents of
air; the next, it dropped as if it were about to crash.
The pastor confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those
around him. He said, "As I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly
all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying.
The future seemed ominous and many were wondering if they would make it
through the storm.
Then, I suddenly saw a little girl. Apparently the storm meant nothing
to her! She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat; she was
reading a book and everything within her small world was calm and orderly.
Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then she would
straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her world.
When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible storm, when it lurched
this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening severity, when all
the adults were scared half to death, that marvelous child was completely
composed and unafraid. The minister could hardly believe his eyes.
It was not surprising therefore, that when the plane finally reached its
destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, our pastor
lingered to speak to the girl whom he had watched for such a long time.
Having commented about the storm and behavior of the plane, he asked why
she had not been afraid.
The child replied, "Cause my Daddy's the pilot, and he's taking me
home."
There are many kinds of storms that buffet us. Physical, mental,
financial, domestic, and many other storms can easily and quickly darken
our skies and throw our plane spinning out of control. We have all known
such times, and let us be honest and confess, it is much easier to be at
rest when our feet are on the ground than when we are being tossed about a
darkened sky.
Just remember: Our Father is the Pilot. He is in control and taking us
home.
