Jesus is my Co-Pilot

AI defines a Co-Pilot as “a member of the flight crew who assists the captain in safely navigating the plane.” And “If the captain is unable to fly, the co-pilot takes over as pilot-in-command.”

Most people have multiple co-pilots. Some depend on family and friends. Others seek an escape through exercise, food, or drugs. Some even look to Jesus for help when events overpower their control.

What about you? Jesus may be your co-pilot if:

?? You do what feels best.

?? Pot helps you relax while energy drinks give you the edge.

?? You solve your own problems.

?? Porn provides release when your “friend with benefits” is not handy.

?? You have quipped: “Jesus is my co-pilot and we’re cruising for pussy.”

?? Only after all else fails do you ask Jesus for help.

Did the Spirit just elbow you in the ribs? If so, then maybe, just maybe being born of the Spirit of God is more than adding Jesus to your flight crew?

Ponder Jesus’ statement shortly before dying on the cross:

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. …

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. John 15:4-6 & 9-12 NLT

Does that sound like Jesus wants to be just your co-pilot? Or even a part of any crew you recruit?

Being born of the Spirit does not mean God shoves one aside and takes over. Rather, it is the start of a unique life that is obviously different from the way many choose to live. Finding a familiar concept to describe this new life is difficult, but perhaps Conception is within the ballpark. A male sperm merges with the egg which then reproduces, giving birth to a unique individual whose DNA, temperament, and personality are a unique combination of the parents. This individual will have traits of both parents, but will be neither of the parents.

In a similar way, when one is born of the Spirit of God, they become a new creation. And as such, they experience a conflict erupting between their way of living and the Spirit of God. Perhaps it’s a bit like entering a marriage where the man is being asked to change from a party animal to a faithful husband and a responsible father.

Another analogy of welcoming the Spirit of God into one’s life may be like bringing a new spouse into the house where one has been living alone for years. Little things such as how the toilet paper comes off the roll or how the kitchen is arranged can become points of “discussion.” Then there are all the new personal necessities arranged around the bathroom vanity, a conquered sanctuary that now screams if invaded by a whisker.

Few adapt easily to change even when that change is initiated by the woman or man who stole one’s heart. Change challenges one’s individuality and freedom of choice. Thankfully, in the home, the garage often remains the untouched “man-cave”.

If Jesus where segregated to only being one’s co-pilot, the change may be as little as not cussing out the other driver. But when one experiences His reckless love and is freed of their guilt, their desire to abide in Jesus starts to grow. But abiding in Him requires changing. Although some changes come easy, most are prolonged skirmishes of figuring out What Would Jesus Do. This daily battle is how one abides in Him a bit more each day.

A personal story from my younger days.

My 1977 SUV had an airhorn which I used to show my irritation at slow drivers in front of me. Tailgating them, I could often be heard mumbling about that “old man in a hat” slowing me down. Then during one such close encounter, the Spirit asked if I believed that Father was sovereign, if He was in control of everything. Well, that was a stupid question. Of course Father is in control everything. Then why, Steven, are you honking your horn and grumbling about someone Father has put in front of you? Ah, I never thought of it that way?

This has been my story in learning to practice His presence. The Spirit will bring to mind something I have heard about what WWJD and He then applies it to something I am thinking or doing that is not WWJD. A few times, I changed quickly. But most often, I would change then forget. The Spirit typically needs to remind me many times before this new habit of thinking or doing becomes me. And then there were the issues about which I would argue with him. Sophomoric, Steven, really stupid. It took years, but I finally realized that I could never win the argument. Probably because He is God and I am not. So now, when He clears his throat to get my attention about something I am thinking or doing that is not WWJD, I’ll change course – until I forget again and He reminds me again. I am so thankful that Father knows my weak humanity and is patient with me.

Well, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

To wrap this up, Jesus will not be relegated to a member of one’s crew who can be the hero when a crisis hits. He is the vine and we are the branches, branches who need to choose to abide in Him. That abiding is a process that one must choose to engage in each day.

Jesus also said that: “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23 NLT

Will you choose to give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and abide in Him? If so, ask Father to show you one habit in your life that He wants to enable you to change. Then start to do it the way Jesus would do it. Depend on His power to enable you to do what you may not think yourself capable of doing. Remember what God told the Apostle Paul: “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT

Find a friend who is likewise endeavoring to abide in Jesus and do it together. Or you may write me at steven@sdwebber.com.

In my experience, abiding in Jesus does get easier as you make a habit of endeavoring to practice His presence.