Progressive Taxi

Pat and I are in the process of getting our Pilot’s license. This adventure has been daunting. Every week, I am memorizing charts and formulas, symbols and equations. Everyone keeps comparing it to learning a new language, but it sometimes it feels like learning a new language with a gun pointed at you, because if you don’t master it all, you could die. I have had moments of fun, but overall, I am nervous, insecure and overwhelmed.

While studying airport diagrams and maps last week, I was introduced to the term, “Progressive Taxi”. When a pilot needs to get her airplane from the ramp to the runway, she calls the tower, identifies herself and her location and then tells the tower where she wants to go. The tower will reply with a series of directions that will help her get to the desired runway. The directions will sound something like this: “Diamond Eclipse Foxtrot Charlie, exit the ramp via Golf. Right on Echo, Right on Bravo, left on Charlie. Hold Short at the ILS line. Proceed on Charlie, Left on Foxtrot. Hold Short runway 22 N/E.” The pilot writes everything down, repeats it and follows the directions exactly. If she makes a mistake, she can endanger herself and any other plane at the airport. She has all the information she needs to arrive safely, but it is a lot of information. It is easy to miss a turn or to get into a confusing situation. As insecure as I am in my aeronautic abilities, the imperativeness of perfection in taxing an airplane made my chest tighten, and then I read about Progressive Taxi.

If a student pilot or insecure pilot at a busy airport feels she needs extra help, she can ask for Progressive Taxi. The tower will respond by walking her through every turn and step in real time. The tower will watch her leave the ramp and alert her that a right turn on Golf is 100 yards away. The tower will help her with every turn and stop until she gets to her desired runway. The tower is everyone’s helper and gives all the information out to every pilot, but the pilot that asks for extra help and guidance gets the comforting lead in a confusing and complex situation.

I have been a Christian and student of the Bible for decades. I have all the information and equipment I need to live like Jesus and grow in wisdom and grace, but DANG if this world isn’t a totally confusing place. Life keeps throwing sharp turns and heart wrenching situations at me. Parenting is much harder and more anxiety ridden than piloting. Relationships and loving others can be a daily challenge. Every day, selfishness and pride and other embarrassing inclinations to sin distract me. I can get lost, make wrong turns and quickly get myself into trouble.

My ability to remember all the truths I have claimed in scripture gets cloudy when I spend any significant time out of the word. I forget what I have meditated on when life comes at me with challenges. I’m completely equipped, but I’m feebly forgetful.

The beautiful truth is that God knows all this about me and He never fails to lead or direct when I ask for help. He is aware of my frailty and forgetfulness. He sees all the complexity and confusion of my life and journey and it doesn’t throw Him for a second. When our current situation is one that riddles us with fear and insecurity, we need to ask for the extra help. When we don’t know which way to turn, we must turn our eyes and ears upon Jesus and stay tethered to His truth and direction. He will gently lead us every step of the way. He holds our hand through every turn and only asks us to navigate the turn immediately before us. He will direct, guide, lead and encourage until we get home.

Precious friends, call out for His help in every turn, and every step along the way. He is the tender shepherd who brings home the lost sheep. Follow His lead.

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 (ESV)

“To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” John 10:3 (ESV)

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:7-11 (ESV)