Launched and In Flight

by Katy Kauffman

Launched is the goal. But the weight of a space shuttle—about 165,000 pounds, or the weight of forty-one cars—is the problem.

To propel that much weight off the surface of the earth, takes some power. How do you achieve flight and adventure when that much weight is keeping you grounded? NASA’s answer was two rocket boosters and an external fuel tank. But the solution compounds the problem. The fuel to produce that power is also heavy. Now the weight totals around 4.3 million pounds, or the weight of 846 elephants. That’s a lot of fuel. And elephants.

Space shuttles won’t go anywhere unless the fuel is ignited. First comes the countdown for launch, then the igniters in the rocket boosters shoot flames down the center of the cylinders. The solid fuel burns from the inside out, sending gas through the throat of each rocket booster and out the exhaust. Fuel is also burned from the shuttle’s massive external tank and … liftoff!

Sometimes God calls us to do something that we know will either take a lot of work or involve a lot of obstacles. Our “space shuttle” sits on the ground, as we contemplate the possible adventure ahead. What launches us from our state of comfort and propels us into the great unknown? A commitment to God that is willing to overcome any outside force pulling us down. A zeal for Him and His great purposes. A loyalty that chooses “flight” over “grounded,” what’s hard over what’s easy, and what’s helpful over what’s convenient.

How do we fill our tanks with enough fuel that will see us through the assignment? How can we sustain flight and complete our mission? A look at Jesus’ commitment and loyalty holds the answer.

Jesus’ Propelling Commitment to God

He had an incredible mission—save the world. In order to do that, Jesus first had to humble Himself and be born as one of us, fragile and human. Then He had to live a sinless life, never once saying a harsh word, never complaining or grumbling or fretting, never giving in to temptation. He always chose God’s way, the right way, over what would have been easy, lazy, or selfish.

His commitment to God propelled Him forward, through crowds of hungry souls, through mobs of vehement religious leaders. He didn’t let the pull of fame distract Him from being God’s servant. He didn’t let the temptations of Satan short-circuit God’s plan. He chose to be all in for God though it would cost Him His life.

Jesus lived every day of His life on earth knowing that the cross was His destination. We don’t know how often He thought about it, but we do know that the cross was planned before the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:18-20). For all of mankind’s existence, Jesus knew that He would die. Yet He was committed.

The Igniter of His Commitment and Ours

What ignited Jesus’ commitment to God? What made Him continue forward, heading to the cross without choosing an alternate destiny? Love, joy, and our need.

His love. Jesus’ love for God and people moved Him to accept the mission of the cross. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He dreaded being separated from God. But He said yes to God’s plan for our sakes and because of His great love for us (John 15:9, 1 John 4:19, Romans 5:8). The pain, anguish, humiliation, and suffering of the cross were bearable because He knew what He was winning for us—forgiveness, life, and closeness. Freedom, healing, and renewal. And great joy.

His joy. Jesus stayed committed for the “joy that was set before Him” (Hebrews 12:2 NKJV). What a Lord and Savior we have that He has joy over seeing people repent of their sins and turn to Him. People who commit their lives to Him. When He sees that our hearts are sincere, He in turn commits Himself to us (John 1:12-13, 2:23-25). Then we are blessed with reconciliation, renewal, and relationship. When we believe in Christ, we become new creations in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17) and we are set on a new course—God’s course for our lives. We achieve “flight”—a life that we can’t live apart from Him. And the same flame that ignited Jesus’ commitment to the Father, ignites ours—love and joy.

Our need. We needed God, so Jesus committed Himself to go to the cross. We needed Someone to take our sin and bear its penalty. God’s own Son stepped forward as the substitutionary sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 7:26-27, 9:14, 9:28, 10:12; Isaiah 53:10). We live in a world that needs Him, that needs to hear the gospel and accept it. How strong is your love today? Do you see the need of those around you, and can you picture the joy that’s to be had when they discover their need is met in God?

Sustaining Flight

Just as Jesus encountered obstacles in God’s mission for Him, we encounter obstacles today. Fatigue and weariness pull at our hearts. Persecution and rejection tempt us to slow down and “land.” Sin and struggles corrode our engines. But the love of God, the joy of life with Him, and people’s need can keep our commitment burning. We know that we desperately need God, both for salvation and everyday life. We who have firsthand knowledge of the goodness and greatness of God can continue to fly forward because we want others to know Him, too. We can sustain “flight” because we believe in the daily missions God gives us and we want to be useful to His plan.

Jesus didn’t let anything deter Him from fulfilling God’s will for His life, and He enables us to keep flying forward to fulfill God’s will for ours. A closeness to Jesus reinforced with dependence on Him keeps our passion for God and people burning strongly and sustains our commitment. Even when the ride gets bumpy. Even when we lose some power and feel like we’re going to crash. When we ask Jesus for help and choose “flight” over “grounded,” He builds within us a loyalty to God that overcomes all opposing forces.

Are you ready to fly today? When we say yes to God, the great unknown is not really unknown. God sees what’s ahead, both the challenges and the victories. He will help us to sustain flight as our hearts grow in being fully committed to Him.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank You for staying committed to God’s mission. Thank You for facing the cross and enduring it so we could know You. Reinforce our commitment to You with Your love and joy, and help us to remember the great needs of the people around us. We want them to find in You the strength, help, and hope we have discovered. Use us for Your purposes, and keep us flying steadily along. In Your name I pray, Amen.

Discussion Question:

Besides love, joy, and people’s need, what else can ignite a commitment to God and keep it burning? Tell us in the comments!

*This adapted excerpt comes from Katy Kauffman, Heart Renovation: A Construction Guide to Godly Character (Buford, Georgia: Lighthouse Bible Studies, 2018), 145-148.