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.
