The Pilot in Command

Friday morning, I put my 19 year-old daughter on a plane knowing I won’t see her for two months.

Two months really isn’t the issue. She’s been living 45 minutes away while she goes to college. We go weeks without seeing each other, but we do talk frequently. If she needs something, I can be there in no time. One Sunday morning, she called me at 2:00 am. She had a horrible migraine, was vomiting from the pain, and had no more options to dull the pain. I threw on some clothes, drove the 45 minutes in the middle of the night to be by her side. I was able to get her in the car and take her to a small emergency room to get relief. We came back, slept for an hour, and then got up and went to church so she could lead worship. I dropped everything to be by her side when she needed me.

But, when I put her on the plane Friday, I knew that her ultimate destination is Southeast Asia. She will be spending the next two months on the other side of the globe serving God. I won’t have the ability to drop everything and be by her side if she needs me.

I have spent the last two decades pouring my heart and soul into these children of mine. I have done everything I know to do to protect them from every danger that could come their way and to prepare them for this world. However, the only world I know is America.

And there is something so vulnerable about sending your child to the other side of the globe knowing you have no power to protect her from anything. From Japanese encephalitis. From malaria. From rabies. From injury. I honestly will have no input as to where she goes, what she does. My voice in her life will be very limited for the next two months.

I would be lying if I told you that I am completely at peace. I have cried many tears, and just the thought of her leads to more. Yes, I believe God is in control. Yes, I know this organization she is with has been in existence for 33 years. Yes, I know they have an international insurance agency that works with them. Yes, I know we have done what we can to provide protection.

But the truth is that I can’t run to her in the middle of the night if she needs me.

This place is where our faith is put into action. Despite my fears and desires to protect her, I walked her to the TSA check site and watched her go where I cannot go.

As I drove to work the next morning, my heart was heavy and my eyes filled with tears.

Until God gave me a gentle reminder.

In March, my daughter and I went flying with my oldest son, the pilot. If you would like to read about that experience, you can find it here. But let me sum it up briefly.

My son is a flight instructor. He regularly climbs into planes in the right seat, giving his students who have no experience with flying the pilot seat. He casually explains what to do as they take control of the plane, and he rests in the right seat.

When Cassie and I went flying with him, he put her in the pilot’s seat. He began to tell her step-by-step what to do as we picked up speed on the runway. I sat in the back seat terrified.

You see, the reality of the situation was this:

Blake had control of the plane.

Blake was giving commands while Cassie was tuned into everything he said.

Blake had already looked at the weather to ensure we were safe to fly.

Blake was listening to the radio traffic and completely tuned into the tower.

Blake was watching the traffic around him.

Cassie gave the appearance of being in control of the plane, but Blake–the experienced pilot–was the one in control

In that moment, I heard God whisper Matthew 11:28-29: Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. The image Jesus was giving was of two oxen–one older and more experienced and one young and inexperienced–yoked together. Even though it appeared the younger ox was hard at work, it was the older ox carrying the burden of the yoke and guiding the younger ox. It very much reminded me of Blake and Cassie at the controls of the plane. 

And then I realized another image, one of God promising to be at our right hand.

For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you. Isaiah 41:13

You see, Blake was at Cassie’s right hand. She was not afraid because she knew he was there to help her guide the plane.

While it is very scary to send my child off to Asia alone, I can rest knowing that God is still in the pilot’s seat. She is tuned into His voice, listening for his directions. We can both trust that He has looked at all the circumstances surrounding her trip. He sees all and knows all. And, ultimately, He has the controls. He is the pilot in command.

I don’t know what circumstances you are facing today. Maybe you haven’t sent your child to the other side of the world into the unknown, into potentially dangerous situations. Maybe it’s something else. Maybe you are considering stepping out of the safety and security of a comfortable job to start your own business. Maybe you are navigating a divorce that has robbed you of your identity. Maybe you are in some other difficult situation.

The reality is simple: God is still at your right hand. He has complete control of everything that is going on around you. He has checked the weather and all of the circumstances around you. Nothing can touch you that He doesn’t allow because He is the pilot in command.

Our job is to be so tuned into His voice that we hear His commands and obey them. Then, we can rest knowing He is at the controls.