August 17: Insight Post by Kim Feld
Monday Insight Post
by Kim Feld
I remember a bumper sticker from years ago that said, “Jesus is my Co-Pilot.” Whenever I saw it, I was reminded of the verses we are reading this week in Matthew 16. Let’s take a look at them using The Message:
24-26Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for? Matthew 16:24-26 (MSG)
If Jesus is leading, He’s the pilot, and I’m the co-pilot. It made me curious about where the phrase originated, so I did a little digging. I found that the phrase “God is my co-pilot” was used by WWII fighter pilot Robert Lee Scott, Jr. Scott used the phrase as the title of his autobiography, which tells of his faith and military combat missions as part of the Flying Tigers. His book was made into a movie in 1945. In that context, the phrase makes perfect sense!
What does it look like to let Jesus lead when we are talking about service? I have a couple of things for us to consider. First, service requires sacrifice of something – time, money, talents, resources, etc. According to the verses above, Jesus says that self-sacrifice helps us find our true selves. Have you ever experienced that during serving? When you feel like you are helping someone else but realize that the act blessed you much more than it did them? I think that's part of what Jesus is talking about.
Second, service requires putting someone else's needs above my own. Parents understand this. When your child is sick and cries out for you in the night, you go to them, sacrificing sleep. Then, as our parents age, there may be times that we need to be there for them even when it’s not the most convenient time for us. We have multiple opportunities every day to focus on the needs of someone other than ourselves.
When Jesus is leading us in service, we can rest assured that He is at work for our good and growth. It may seem difficult in the moment, but He is doing something far more lasting and valuable than we can see right now.
Kim Feld
Executive Director of Education and Outreach
New Hope Church
Lorton, Virginia
newhope.org