“For You light my lamp; The LORD my God illumines my darkness.” Psalm 18:28 (NASB)
Several years ago, we were on the west coast and began our flight home in the middle of the afternoon. After taking off over the Pacific, the pilot circled and headed east. As I looked out the window, the sun was to the rear of the plane and it occurred to me that we were flying into the dark.
As the hours passed, the sky became darker and darker and I was unable to see anything out of the plane’s window. I knew our destination but I had no idea what we were flying over or what was ahead of us. If I had not trusted the pilot, this could have been very disconcerting.
However the dark was not a problem for the pilot. He had a co-pilot, maps, radar and a flight manual to help him navigate even though he could not see what was below or ahead.
As Christians, we know our destination but sometimes we feel like we are flying into and in the dark. Our spouse has died. We have lost our job. We develop health problems. We have financial issues. We are not sure what God wants us to be doing. We do not know what is ahead and are not sure of our path. Life can be scary and disconcerting at times.
Thankfully we have God as our Pilot and the Holy Spirit as our Co-Pilot. They know the way we are to go even when we cannot see it. Just as I had to trust the pilot, I can trust God to show me the way. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” Trusting in God, we will know what to do and we will ultimately reach our destination.
Just as the pilot was on the plane for the whole flight, we always have God with us no matter where we are or what we are going through. Jesus tells His disciples and us “Lo, I am with you always.” Matthew 28:20
Like the pilot had the co-pilot for the whole flight to help him fly the plane, we have the Holy Spirit with us at all times helping us as we go through life. The Holy Spirit is with us at all times, guides us into all truth and brings to mind Christ’s teachings. (John 14:16; 16:13; 14:26)
We even have a flight manual, God’s word – the Bible, to equip and guide us as we go. 2 Timothy 3:16 says “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man (woman) of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” We are equipped with what we need. Psalm 119:105 says “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” A lamp and a light. They guide me and help me navigate in the dark.
We arrived safely back to our home airport even though most of our flight was in the dark. As Christians, we will arrive safely at our destination, heaven, even though parts of our flight of life will be in the dark. Praise God that we do not fly alone.