Don’t Forget

 Almost fifty years ago, Eastern Flight 401 took off from JFK. By 11:30 p.m. the plane was approaching Miami. Its First Officer lowered the landing gear. But the green light indicating that the gear was down and locked did not illuminate. So the Captain ordered that the plane climb to 2,000 feet and fly an autopilot holding pattern while the crew tried to figure out what was wrong.

Unfortunately, the captain unwittingly nudged the yoke, initiating a gradual descent. When the plane had dropped to 1,750 feet, an altitude warning chime sounded. But the flight engineer was not at his seat to hear it—he was too busy fiddling with the indicator light problem. So Flight 401 continued circling the Everglades, gradually dropping lower and lower.

Nothing wrong with the jet—it was only 4 months old. Nothing wrong with the crew—its first officer had logged 5,800 hours of flight time; the captain 29,700. But in focusing all their attention on a burned-out bulb they neglected Rule One—“Don’t Forget to Fly the Plane.” Finally the pilot awoke to their danger and blurted, “Hey, what’s happening here?” But it was too late. Flight 401 crashed into the Everglades, killing 101 of the 176 on board.

It can happen in places other than planes. We twiddle with trivia and neglect the necessary. In our marriages. Men, with all our multi-faceted responsibilities, do we forget Rules One and Two— “Husbands, love your wives” and “Bring up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord”? In our individual spiritual lives. In our churches. What did Jesus say were Rules One and Two for all of us? “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength; and your neighbor as yourself.” What is our business at Grace Fellowship? “To know the Lord and make him known.” Or, to put it a little differently, “Our business is Jesus, and our business is love.”

Yes, details are important; we mustn’t neglect them. Landing gear is essential. But crews can check and lower that gear without crashing their planes in the process. As we continue to walk together into our first year as Grace Fellowship, may we make it our top priority—as individuals, families, and church body—that we Don’t Forget to Fly the Plane.