The Captain’s Corner

Do you ever stop to think of people who have made a difference in your life—perhaps spiritually or professionally? Were they an example of what you wished to become? I have several individuals who “piloted” me in this way. In this post, I’d like to share lessons from three of those with you.

Even when I was a little boy, Captain Glenn Shoop of Braniff Airways was my hero. (He eventually flew the Concorde!) We would talk during my visits to my grandmother’s home in Dallas, especially over Christmas break. Captain Shoop listened to me and encouraged me in my desire to fly for the airlines.

Captain J. J. Hamilton was the director of the flying school I attended, American Flyers. He cared about me, a fifteen-year-old kid who wanted to learn to fly. He gave me advice and helped me in my training. When he could no longer fly because of vision problems, he exemplified a powerful Christian outlook that overcame discouragement.

Captain Gene Price was a captain with Delta. When I needed guidance on how to apply for a job with the airlines, Captain Price prayed with me and talked with me. He touched my life spiritually with his consistent and gracious example.

All three of these men impacted my life by their walk with God and their godly lives. I wanted to be like them, and I am grateful to God for them. Like Barnabas was to the apostles, these men were “sons of encouragement” to me (see Acts 4:36, ESV). Like Paul’s admonition to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12, they were examples I could follow.

As I told you about these three pilots who left their imprints on my life, who came to mind as someone who has done the same in your life? Whose life will you impact today?