Monday, January 21, 2013

You Don't Have to Fly by the Seat of Your Pants


Old war movies often portray the hero in an airplane headed for disaster. He may be out of fuel, been shot by the enemy or lost his engines. He’s in real trouble and may have to resort to instinct to try and get the plane landed safely. We know by these movies that it works sometimes, but other times the hero is lost and people mourn. Many people fly by the seat of their pants. One definition says it means to proceed or work by feel or instinct without formal guidelines or experience.  Another says act according to one's own desires or beliefs without regard for standards for social behavior, logical sensibility, or approval. It’s usually used in negative terms.

Being a picture person I see a cartoon character with his pants on fire! He’s doing things his way, he’s not asking for help and he’s letting whatever happens happen.  It’s an ugly way to fly indeed. For those who embrace this way of living, things will eventually get ugly – you’re going to get burned.

God never tells us to fly by the seat of our pants. He doesn’t tell us to live by our instincts, our feelings or our own desires. Instead He has given us standards and instruments to measure our progress, help us on our way through His Word. And as we learn to live by His Word it gives us Godly experience to lean on to grow our faith. When we insist on doing it our way no matter the consequences, He may ground us! He will certainly let us have our way and then when we’re pulling ourselves from the rubble and call out to Him, He responds in love! Amazing isn’t it? He never says He’s done with us, even when we’re traveling by the seat of our pants. He just waits in loving care to see when we’ve had enough of us!

Oh beloved, God knows your situation. He has been watching over you to keep you safe, help you to handle things His way and to bless you when you follow His guidance! Maybe you feel that you’ve gotten burned. It’s time to turn to God and let Him lead! He’s not our co-pilot, He is The One True Pilot! He says to you this morning, let Me govern your life. Let Me lead you. Let Me call the shots and follow Me! I AM your quickest route to rescue, I AM your quickest path to blessings and I AM your staunchest ally in the worst of disasters. His promises are true – He loves you and He will never let you down. Open up His Instruction Manual this morning before you take off for departure this morning and He will direct you and keep you throughout the day.

Proverbs 29:18 When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful.

2 Chronicles 26:5 Uzziah sought God during the days of Zechariah, who taught him to fear God. And as long as the king sought guidance from the Lord, God gave him success.

Psalm 48:14 For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and He will guide us until we die.

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