Pilot (noun): one employed to steer a ship; qualified to fly an aircraft or spacecraft; a leader or guide
Pilot (verb): to act as a guide; to lead or conduct over an unusually difficult course
Over the summer, my family experienced two “driving-related” milestones. First, our younger son acquired his driver’s license. Although I’d been through this already with my older son, it was still a bit stressful this time around. The younger son is a more aggressive driver and way more anxious to assert his newfound independence!
Second, now that we had four drivers in the house, one of whom would soon need to get to college classes every day, we decided to add another vehicle to our household. We purchased a Honda Pilot (this blog post will not be an advertisement for Honda, nor am I receiving any kickbacks for mentioning them!). And no, the newest driver in the family doesn’t get to drive it regularly.
In the first month of owning the Pilot, we put on a lot of miles traveling to visit out-of-town family, on vacation, to basketball tournaments in neighboring states. I spent many hours sitting in or driving the Pilot. And that led me to think about the word PILOT.
In its noun form, pilot is a person employed to steer a ship, an aircraft or a spaceship; or in general, a leader or guide. In its verb form, pilot means to act as a guide, or to lead over an unusually difficult course. The word conjures up a feeling of respect or an acknowledgement of another’s authority.
About the time we purchased the Honda Pilot, I wrote and published my post about Powerless. During that writing, and ever since, I have been intentionally accepting my powerlessness on a daily basis, and in doing so, have asked God each day to be my Pilot, my respected authority.
I also read a devotion in Jesus Calling by Sarah Young that asked this question: “Who is in charge of my life?” If it’s me, I have good reason to worry. If it’s God, then worry is both unnecessary and counterproductive.
My decision to “give up the keys” to God is made each day, as I tend to wake up with the keys back in my pocket each morning.
Throughout the day, I watch for signs that I’m inching over into the driver’s seat, putting a hand on the gear shift or the wheel, sneakily or consciously trying to pilot myself again.
The world tries to teach us skills to pilot our own lives, but God wants us to allow His Spirit to pilot our lives. A popular Christian bumper sticker says: “If God is your co-pilot, switch seats!” I like the way it’s phrased in The Message:
There is only one Life-Leader for you and them—Christ. Matthew 23:10 MSG
God is my Pilot, my Life-Leader. I am His co-pilot and have no intention of becoming the pilot. I am not a pilot-in-training!
In fact, I am training to be a better co-pilot.
To be better at following my Pilot’s instructions. Better at being of maximum usefulness to my Pilot, so that His plans can be carried out. I am in training to trust my Pilot more deeply, to listen to my Pilot more attentively. To rest in my seat knowing the most capable Pilot holds my course.
Luke 1:79 tells us that God “guides our feet into the path of peace”.
I really enjoy the comfort and safety features of our new car, but even more so, I love owning a car called a “Pilot”. It quite literally is a constant reminder to me, as I climb into it, to ask myself: Who is my Pilot today?
When I try to pilot my own life:
- I’m focused on myself, my needs. I’m self-centered and selfish.
- I can’t be helpful to others without putting us all at risk (aka, I become a distracted driver!).
- I’m constantly scanning for danger, thinking about my destination, and carrying the weight of planning and worry.
- I’m bossy and controlling towards others, requiring them to follow my flight plan, my rules.
- I’m too burdened of responsibility to worship God, or to even notice His Presence.
When God is my Pilot:
- He meets both my needs and His purposes.
- I can help others, can carry out the Pilot’s requests, serve how He wills not how I will.
- I can “enjoy the ride”, stay in the present moment, let go of worry and fear.
- I can worship my Pilot freely and abundantly. I can watch Him navigate through storms and sing His praises all the while.
When I lay it out like this, the decision is obvious! What an honor to be His co-pilot!
I’ve come to a point in my Faith walk where I recognize God wants me to surrender to Him every day. And this blog post could have easily been on the word “Surrender” instead of “Pilot”. But the word “Surrender” has a lot of social/historical weight and a somewhat negative connotation in my mind. The word surrender evokes images of a war, where one side is waving the white flag to the other side, accepting defeat. With that visual in my head, it’s easy to consider a “surrendered” life a defeated one.
But surrendering to God is not the same! I’m like a constant distracted driver and relinquishing the keys to Him, putting Him in the Pilot’s chair, is the only way to ensure my safety and the safety of others in my life.
Surrendering to God results in FREEDOM, not defeat.
I can enjoy life as He intended only when I surrender to Him.
To surrender means to cease resistance and submit to authority. I gladly do so.
Here you go, God, my Pilot. The keys are yours.
My life is Yours.
In all your ways submit to him, and he will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:6