The Rudder

I have a couple pilot friends that have said they learn about the dangers of spatial disorientation early in their training. This can occur when flying in conditions with limited or no visibility, such as in fog. Without the horizon for a visual reference, you can lose your sense of up and down. Your body sends your brain false messages that misinterpret reality. Pilots have flown their planes into the ground or into mountains while thinking everything was just fine. To counter this, pilots learn that in bad weather they must not focus on the conditions outside, but instead focus on their flight instruments to get them to their destination safely.

I've found that the world around me can obscure my vision and make me believe that I've got to have the right house, or the right car, or the right clothes in order to have status and value. I can be lured into putting my trust in the stock or housing market, retirement portfolio, or a career that I've had for many years. When I focus on the wrong things, I can enter the danger zone.

Jesus tells us to seek first his kingdom and righteousness. We accomplish this by talking to God in prayer, reading and obeying the Bible, and through fellowship with other followers of Christ. These are our flight instruments and they will keep us on the right course--even on foggy days.