A private pilot’s license is a license to learn. At about 40 hours, a pilot is a beginner, safe within good conditions.
I was a private pilot when I met my husband, an airline captain. I was shocked and sobered when I realized he was more conservative in a single engine airplane than I was. Oh dear! Lots to learn.
The question, then, is how much is an inexperienced pilot learning? When the pilot has 1000 hours, does that represent 1000 hours of learning or is it 1 hour 1000 times?
What is the pilot doing with his or her license to learn?
Is the pilot learning or coasting?
The same question should be asked of Christians. Are we learning or are we going over the same “hour” many times?
Paul told the Corinthians they were in the category of 1 hour 1000 times:
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able. (1 Corinthians 3:1–2)
We should ask ourselves about our progress in the Christian life. God is, of course, continually working on and in us. But we are responsible also. Can you detect growth? Are you more reliably walking in His will now than you did a year ago? Can you sense that you are more deliberately seeking Him and His will than you did in the past?
If so, keep on keeping on.
If not, you need to deliberately make changes, such as more regularly and deeply studying His Word, praying more, spending more time with godly friends who will challenge and encourage you.
Determine to make these next 1000 hours ones of learning.
Press on!
