So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Galatians 5:16

A young pilot who was flying in bad weather found himself in a difficult predicament when the weather changed for the worse. Visibility dropped to a matter of feet as foggy conditions descended to the earth. Putting total trust in his airplane’s instruments was a new experience to him. The ink was still wet on the certificate verifying that he was qualified for instrument flying.

He wasn’t worried about the flying, however. Rather, he was concerned about being able to land. His destination was a crowded metropolitan airport that he wasn’t familiar with. He would be within radio contact within minutes. Until then, he was alone with his thoughts. Flying alone with no visibility, he was aware how easy it would be to panic. Twice he reached for the radio to broadcast, “Mayday!” Instead, he forced himself to go over the words of his instructor again and again. His instructor had practically forced him to memorize the rule book. He didn’t care for it at the time, but now he was thankful.

Finally the voice of the air-traffic controller was heard. Trying not to sound apprehensive, the young pilot asked for landing instructions.

“I’m going to put you in a holding pattern,” the controller responded.

Great! Thought the pilot. However, he knew that his safe landing was in the hands of a person he couldn’t see. He had to draw upon his previous instruction and training, and trust the guidance of the air traffic controller. The words of an old hymn, “Trust and obey for there’s no other way,” took on new meaning. Aware that this was no time for pride, he informed the controller, “This is not a seasoned pro up here. I would appreciate any help you can give me.”

“You got it!” He heard back.

For the next 45 minutes, the controller gently guided the pilot through the blinding fog. Course and altitude corrections came periodically. The young pilot realized the controller was guiding him around obstacles and away from potential collisions. With the words of the rule book firmly placed in his mind and the instructions from the controller, he finally landed safely. During the ordeal, the controller assumed that the instructions of the flight manual were understood by the young pilot. His guidance could only be based on that. Such is the case with the Holy Spirit, who guides us through the maze of life with the knowledge of God’s will established in our minds.’

Taken from: The Common Made Holy by Neil T. Anderson & Robert L. Saucy. Copyright © 1998 by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, OR, p. 273-274. Used by Permission