Off The Radar
I often marvel at scenes from movies where you see the air traffic controllers working. I think man how hard it would be to keep up with all those planes and make sure none of them crash into each other. So I had to BING the job description to see if my perception was correct, check this out:
Airport tower or terminal controllers are primarily responsible for organizing the flow of the airport’s arrivals and departures, although they also monitor all aircraft that enters the airport’s airspace. With the assistance of radar and visual observation, these controllers observe and supervise the movements of each plane in order to maintain a safe distance between aircraft, as well as to direct pilots between hangers, ramps and the limits of the airport’s airspace. Controllers also advise pilots of potentially dangerous weather changes, such as sudden, aircraft-affecting shifts of wind velocity or direction known as “wind shear.”
After reading that I was even more amazed, but then I read a bit further:
More than one controller directs each plane during arrival and departure. During a plane’s approach, the pilot notifies the terminal of the plane’s impending arrival. The plane’s location has already been radar-observed by a controller in the radar room, located just beneath the control tower. If there is no impeding traffic, the controller guides the pilot to an available runway. If the airport is experiencing busy traffic, the controller will direct the pilot to join a traffic pattern with other aircraft that have not yet landed. As the plane makes its final approach to the runway, a controller asks the pilot to contact the tower. Using radar, a tower controller then monitors the last mile of the aircraft’s runway approach, making sure no departing planes interfere with the landing. After landing, the plane is directed along the airport’s taxiways by a ground controller located in the tower. Although ground controllers may use radar in conditions of poor visibility, they usually work only by sight.
Now you might be wondering where I am going with this post today, so here goes. The success of an airline flight, the passengers, pilot, air traffic control all depend on many people for the success of a safe flight. Our lives are much the same. For a successful flight we need the cooperation of others around us. Those people who watch out for and watch over us. People in our lives to keep us in radar view and who can help control the air traffic around us. I think that is what Paul had in mind when he wrote Ephesians 5:21, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”.
And I love how he encourages us to do that, “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galations 6:1-2
But the idea is not only to bring correction to our lives, but more importantly it is to encourage us that we are on the right flight pattern, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” -Hebrews 10:24
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:11.
So think about it, we are not only flights depending on the air traffic controllers, but also air traffic controllers ourselves.
Live a life as it was meant to be lived. “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ . . . ..” – Phil 1:27
