The Landing
December 31, 2025
"...that whoever believes in him should not perish..."
John 3:16c (ESV)
Navy pilots face the most dangerous landings on earth. They must land on a tiny aircraft carrier deck that's not only sailing away but bobbing up to 15 feet and rolling side to side. One wrong move and you're done. How do they survive? Total trust in the Landing Signal Officer. The LSO directs with paddle signals, indicating whether they’re too high, too low, too fast, or too slow. When he signals to land, you land. No hesitation or second-guessing. You place your life completely in his hands.
That's what it means to believe in Jesus. You’re not just agreeing He exists, but placing your entire life in His hands. It’s more than an intellectual exercise of belief. Believing about Jesus and believing in Jesus are two completely different things.
You believe Karl Marx existed, but you're not a communist. You believe in Jesus differently. Your mind knows the truth about Him, your heart affirms that truth, and your will surrenders your life to Him completely.
The word "believe" literally means "commit to," "surrender to," "trust in completely." It's not passive agreement, but active commitment. Harvard professor Harvey Cox explains it this way, "We can believe something to be true without it making much difference to us, but we place our faith only in something that is vital for the way we live."
Jesus isn't asking for your opinion about Him. He's asking for your life. He’s asking for your Monday through Saturday, not just your Sunday mornings. He cares about your finances, relationships, career, fears, and dreams—and He’s asking you to surrender all of it. Because if you don't truly believe, you will perish. That word means dying not just physically, but spiritually and eternally.
The Landing Signal Officer is signaling. Will you land?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I praise You for being trustworthy, faithful in every season. Lord, I'm done with halfway faith and intellectual agreement. Today I place my complete trust in You. I’m not just believing about You, I’m surrendering my entire life to You. You have the controls and I trust You. Through Jesus I pray, Amen.