Eyes on the horizon

Knuckles white, as my sweaty palms clung tightly to the yoke. I couldn't believe that this day had finally come, it didn't seem real to me. I was so nervous to make a mistake that would send the beautiful aircraft and the two precious souls in the cockpit tumbling to the ground. Yes, I was indeed flying an airplane for the first time. 
As my eyes were glued to the instrument panel making sure everything was right on, a calm but bold voice came from my Instructor Colonel Glenn Whicker (who is a well versed pilot and fantastic instructor). He said "Keep your eyes on the horizon. Don't worry so much about all the instruments and gauges."
For the longest time I couldn't understand why in the world he would want me to focus so much on the horizon and not the instruments that were put there to keep us alive.
Col. Glenn Whicker calmly explained to me, "The horizon is something that will never change. All of the gauges in front of you will always be moving due to minor changes the aircraft is constantly making because of weather/air movement. As you fix your eyes on the horizon, you will easily be able to tell if the airplane starts to climb or fall."
I took this advice and slowly applied it to my flying. Well what do you know? It really works! I look back at my experience now and remember how stressed I used to be while trying to keep the airplane straight and level by just using the gauges. I found much more joy in flying as I kept my eyes on the horizon,  being able to view the wonderful planet that God has created for us.

As a missionary  I have been blessed with many opportunity's to learn and to grow. One of the greatest things I have learned on my mission is simply what I learned during my first flight. Don't focus so much on the world around me and try to stay on the straight path. It is very hard and we must simply look towards the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is forever unchanging and is there to keep our lives on a straight and level flight. Just as the horizon is always there for every pilot, no matter where he or she might be in the world, so is the gospel.
God, who is our loving Heavenly Father has restored the fullness of the Gospel to the earth to never be taken away again. What a blessing it is to know that we will always have something to look towards that will guide our lives no matter what situation we might be in.

- The Iron Rod - Hymn # 274
"Hold to the rod, the iron rod;’Tis strong, and bright, and true.
The iron rod is the word of God;’Twill safely guide us through."