Terrain Ahead! Pull Up!, was the last message most pilots who have been victims of a fatal plane crashes heard in their final moments. When i heard it for the first time, i could certainly hear the voice of the Holy Spirit telling me the same thing in most of the situations i find myself. I thank God for his mercy. It is because of his mercy that i (we) are not consumed.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. - Lamentations 3:22-23
I’ve always had a deep interest in the aviation industry. From the way planes are prepared before takeoff to how pilots handle emergency situations mid-air every detail has a purpose. Over the years, I’ve found myself drawn not just to the visuals of flight, but to the deeper meaning hidden beneath all the checklists, procedures, and precision. The more I watched, the more I realised: the aviation industry has a lot to teach us about walking with God.
This isn’t about criticising, romanticising flight or turning everything into a metaphor. It’s simply about paying attention to what God might be saying, even through something as ordinary as an aircraft taking off. There’s wisdom in everything if you’re paying attention.
Faith in Flight: Lessons I learned from the Aviation Industry
So I’m launching a new series: Faith in Flight a collection of lessons we can learn from the aviation world and apply to everyday Christian life.
“Our struggles in this world are similar, and the lessons to overcome those struggles and to move forward — changing ourselves and changing the world around us — will apply equally to all.” – Admiral William H. McRaven
Just think about it.
Before a plane takes off, it goes through thorough checks – fuel levels, engine systems, weather conditions. How often do we take that kind of time to prepare our hearts before making a big decision? Or when a pilot flies through a storm and visibility is zero, they don’t rely on what they see, they trust their instruments. What if we did the same with God’s Word?
In this series, we’ll look at how faith and flight intersect in ways that might surprise you. It’s not technical or academic. It’s real. These are reflections from someone who enjoys aviation content and believes God can use even that to speak to us.
Here’s what’s coming:
Pre-Flight Checks
Why spiritual preparation is non-negotiable before any journey
Trust the Instruments
What it really means to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7)
Mayday Moments
Why it’s okay and necessary to cry out for help
Aviate, Navigate, Communicate
How to handle emergencies and unexpected situations the correct way.
Autopilot Caution
The danger of drifting spiritually when life seems comfortable
Holding Patterns
Learning to wait when God hasn’t cleared you for landing yet
Final Approach
Finishing strong and touching down where God intended all along (2 Timothy 4:7)
You don’t need to know anything about planes to follow along. Each post will break things down into simple reflections, Scripture-based encouragement, and practical takeaways. I won’t pretend to have it all figured out. I’m just someone learning to trust the process, even when the sky looks uncertain.
My prayer is that this series helps you pay closer attention to your own spiritual altitude. That it encourages you to slow down, do the checks, call out to God when needed, and keep pressing forward until you reach your final destination fully surrendered to His plan.
So if you’ve been in a season of waiting, or you’ve hit unexpected turbulence, or maybe you’re just trying to figure out what’s next—I hope you’ll find something here that meets you right where you are.
Because no matter how complex life feels, we serve a God who knows every detail. And with Him, you’re never flying blind.
Let’s get ready for takeoff.
John Thole is the voice behind Beyond Salvation, a blog that captures the highs and lows of life through faith, laughter, and honest reflection. With a passion for storytelling, technology, and spiritual growth, he creates content that resonates with seekers, believers, and anyone navigating life’s journey. Whether sharing personal insights, devotionals, or thought-provoking discussions, John aims to inspire, uplift, and spark meaningful conversations.
