In the movie Top Gun, the main characters Goose and Maverick are risky fighter pilots who push the limits of the speedometer. The line, “I feel the need, the need for speed,” is a well-known quote from the movie.
Whether you’re flying a plane, driving a car, or steering a ship, there are always instruments that help gauge speed, temperature, and time (to name a few), which allow for better handling of the machine.
But what if the gages fail? Life-and-death situations depend on the pilot’s ability to know if the gages fail, and it’s up to the pilots to trust their instincts and guide their machine.
Sometimes, we ask God for a sign or a feeling to strengthen our faith. But faith is the evidence of things unseen, not the reliance on anything tangible or visible to us (Hebrews 11:1). When problems arise, our emotions can fluctuate wildly like the dial on a cockpit’s speedometer, and we might ask for better weather or a level heading so we don’t send our spiritual plane into a nosedive.
We have to trust the instruments God has given us because they will never fail.
Each cockpit has radars that detect “trouble on the horizon,” incoming missiles, or high terrain. Similarly, children of God have the Holy Spirit placed within them on the day of their baptism. It’s up to us to use the Spirit He provides like a tracking device to steer us clear of the danger zone.
That uneasy “gut” reaction to questionable activities? That’s the Holy Spirit! It’s our job to heed it. Our internal spiritual alarm helps guide us out of bad situations. The more we listen to the promptings of the Spirit, the more it directs us for good.
What other instruments can we use to help us navigate this life?
The Bible and the Book of Mormon. Many revelations in scripture encourage us to stir up the Spirit within us and describe in detail how to use it. Not only does the Spirit steer us clear of danger, it also directs us into the path of oncoming blessings. Remember when the Spirit of God led Simeon to the temple to bless the Christ child in Luke 2:27?
Whether you’ve just purchased your first aircraft (newly-baptized) or you’ve been piloting your plane for years as a seasoned saint, it’s encouraging to know we can always rely on the instruments God has given us to direct our journey through this life.
Happy flying, and God-speed!
Take a look at some more examples of how the Holy Spirit works:
- Promotes the work of the Lord Haggai 1:14
- Dwells in holy temples Helaman 4:24
- Provides wisdom 1 Corinthians 14:15
- Warns of wickedness 1 Timothy 4:1
- Intercedes on our behalf Romans 8:26
- Teaches us how to pray 2 Nephi 32:8
- Gives us words to testify to others Acts 18:5
- Gives authority for baptism Mosiah 18:13
This article has undergone ministry review and approval.
When I was young in the Church ” ancient times” , movies were a No-No. Now we use their quotes to describe how to be a “saint”. How times have changed!! I wonder what Jesus thinks about “speed”.
When I was young in the Church ” ancient times” , movies were a No-No. Now we use their quotes to describe how to be a “saint”. How times have changed!! I wonder what Jesus thinks about “speed”.
” … the Spirit of God led Simeon to the temple to bless the Christ child (Luke 2:27).” This would have been when the infant was 40 days old per Leviticus 12:1-4.