Whatever Happens, Just Fly The Plane
I don’t know if you remember or not, but back in 2009 – January 15th to be exact – US Airways Flight 1549 emergency landed on the Hudson River due to a flock of geese colliding with the jet. Chesley Sullenberger was the pilot who was about to retire in just a few days and found himself at the controls of an A320 Airbus without engines. He was flying a giant glider and was quickly losing altitude. The total time from that collision/loss of power of both engines and the contact with the water of the Hudson was 208 seconds. That’s roughly 3½ minutes to figure out what happened, what to do, and how to execute a landing without killing all on board. Effectually, that is no time to make a decision and know what to do; rather, he had to know instinctively what to do in that moment of time. His life is interesting and plays out in the movie “Sully” directed by Clint Eastwood. It is recommended watching but, if possible, read the book, too.
As it turns out, he began flying at a very young age (taught by a crop duster), flew fighter planes for the US Air Force, and then flew commercially for the remainder of his flying days. He is now on to other things regarding aviation but, during his first years learning to fly in that old crop duster, he was taught one very important lesson that served him well throughout his career: whatever happens, just fly the plane. That simple directive was indelibly imprinted on his mind. When things got tough in that pilot’s seat, he became totally focused on his job; to fly the plane, to not lose control, and not get distracted by things around him. That focus saw him through several close calls, the most important and memorable was landing that Airbus on the Hudson River in January of 2009.
When I became a Christian, I was taught that the very little I knew about spiritual things needed to be put aside. Most of what I knew was baloney and that God, Jesus, the Bible, and the lessons therein were to be my guide for all of my life. This took work on my part. If I wanted to learn what God expected of me, I needed a crop-duster-teacher or two (or three). I learned that I needed to know instinctively what God expected of me, His disciple, in any given moment of time or situation. I had to act accordingly and try my best to not make a mistake. The only way for me to know this or act instinctively was to make God the center of life. Like Sully flying that plane, I had to know what to do in the event a future situation demanded my focused attention.
Over the years, I have read the Bible through several times and learn new things from it each time. Some things are reminders, some are new lessons I missed on a previous reading, and some are straight up Holy Ghost convictions. Nevertheless, the more time I spend in the Bible and in God’s teaching presence, like Sully in the pilot’s seat, the more I can act instinctively when my “plane” is falling apart and about to crash. Does that mean I sometimes get excited or agitated? Yes. Does that mean I sometimes get high blood pressure? Yes. Does that mean I sometimes become emotional? Yes. Do those things – agitation, hbp, emotions – cause me to lose focus? I pray not. I need to fly my plane. I need to stay focused.
If there is any lesson for us today – in light of what our country and present administration has done, in light of what our present world is about to experience, in light of the fact that the majority of so-called Evangelical Christians have been subverted in their understanding of moral and ethical guidance – stay focused. Fly the plane of God’s truth.
My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—3 indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, 8 for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.
9 Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. 10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. 11 Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. Proverbs 2:1-11
Know God. Know His Word. Be instinctual.
Whatever happens, fellow Christian, remain steady and just fly the plane.
