God's Checklist Subscribe to the Devotional

This week's focus:

Gear – “Down”

Flaps – “Down”

Tail Hook – “Down”

Harness – “Unlocked”

Speed Brakes – “Extended”

Anti-Skid – “Off”

“Landing Checklist Complete.”

It’s so simple, only six little steps, and yet critical for the safe completion of any flight. Whether on a commercial or tactical military flight, every pilot will conduct and complete a similar type of checklist before attempting to land the aircraft.

A checklist is the key fundamental tool to all aviation-related activities. As a pilot, we’re taught from day one in flight school that you always perform and complete checklists. From normal operations to emergencies, we have checklists for every phase of flight. Regardless of experience or number of flights, you NEVER grow beyond needing and relying on checklists. Ever.

I started my career in aviation as a non-believer, but during that time, I found Jesus and accepted Him as my Lord and Savior. Which isn’t to say I had it all figured out. Along the way, there were questions and earnest attempts to improve my Christian walk. From what you’ve read so far, it should come as no surprise that when I came across Micah 6:8, it immediately became a “life verse” I could relate to.

“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly

To love mercy

To walk humbly with your God."

Here it was! A checklist from the Lord on conducting myself while operating as a Christian. With only three clearly defined action steps, this should be easy.

However, here is where things depart from an aviation checklist. The requirements of Micah 6:8, while clear-cut and relatively simple to execute on the surface, can and will take a lifetime to master. Consider the actions the Lord requires: justice, mercy, and humility—straightforward. However, practicing these concepts daily, in ALL circumstances, is something else altogether. Why? Because these instructions require me to stop focusing on myself and purposely direct my attention to others. As a side note, please don’t confuse this with “works-based” activity. Doing or not doing these has nothing to do with salvation or attempting to earn my way to heaven. That gift was sealed on the cross.

I’ve come to truly appreciate the brilliance and complex simplicity in God’s checklist. This baseline can be used to judge my interactions with others. Am I showing mercy and justice to those around me in my daily interactions? A humble walk with God gauges my commitment and energy invested in seeking His wisdom and guidance through prayer and scripture.

In simple terms, a checklist is a reminder. A reminder to accomplish specific actions in a particular order to ensure we get the desired outcome. In the case of a landing checklist, it ensures the aircraft is configured for a safe landing. Concerning Micah 6:8, God’s checklist for Israel and us is a prompt for Christians to keep these insights in focus while we live out our Christian walk.

Like all pilots’ reverence for checklists, we, as Christians, should never think we have matured or grown to the point that we don’t need references for daily operations. Using Micah 6:8 or some other scripture that serves as a reminder will safeguard your daily walk and ensure your focus is on the critical items.

Special thanks to Jason McAlister for writing this week’s devotional.