Pilot & Co-Pilot

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

So I've been dwelling on this for a bit, thinking about the roles of pilot and co-pilot. From what I think I know about flying, the pilot is in charge but the co-pilot gets to do a lot of the same things the pilot does. He might get to take off, land or control the airplane along the way. And when he has the controls, he has full control of the aircraft. Most commercial flights now-a-days have pre-set flight paths (and even computers to navigate them). But the pilot and co-pilot certainly could override the flight plan, as they have the controls.

So spiritually, God is our pilot and we are each a co-pilot in our own relationship with God. He has mapped out a flight plan for our lives (though He may not have told us the whole thing). He lets us steer a good portion of the time and shows us in the short term where to be going with our flight plan. But we don't have to stick to it; we can steer wherever we want.

And God doesn't just override our controls to bring us back on track, we have to yield control to Him when we want Him to correct course. Other times during flight, he may keep the controls and not let us steer because He wants to be sure we aren't going to steer off the plan, or because He knows there is turbulence ahead.

It's not a perfect analogy, but I think the keys are this:

God has a plan - the best plan - for your life.

You can choose to steer away from that plan or to live according to it.

God doesn’t take control when you are steering; if you want Him to have it, you have to give it to Him.

God will always steer you back onto His perfect plan.

God sometimes doesn’t let you have control to keep you from steering off or to help navigate the turbulence of life.

*Father God, thank you that you are willing to be our pilot. God, if we haven’t changed seats with you to let you be pilot, help us each to do that. Please be quick to let us know when we are steering off course and remind us of the importance of navigating life according to your plan. Thank you for keeping control during times of turbulence; teach us how to recognize your sovereignty, especially in those times. In Jesus’ name, amen!

If God is your co-pilot, you need to switch places.

Lincoln W.
"Blessings Daily Devotionals" - WB Journal