As a new year dawns, there is something about January that invites reflection—and resolve. Fresh calendars, fresh goals, fresh intentions. But if we are honest, the real challenge is not starting strong; it is staying focused. Distractions are nothing new. In fact, they have been around as long as humanity itself. But in today’s world—especially in aviation, where precision, discipline, and awareness matter deeply—we understand better than most just how dangerous distractions can be.
On December 29, 1972, Eastern Airlines Flight 401 was on approach into Miami. A small indicator light failed to illuminate, and the flight crew became fixated on troubleshooting what they believed was a landing gear problem. While their attention was locked inside the cockpit, the aircraft slowly descended unnoticed. The result was catastrophic. Out of 176 souls on board, only 75 survived. One small distraction had devastating consequences.
A Drifting Focus
That tragedy led to changes in aviation that have saved countless lives. But it also serves as a sobering metaphor for our spiritual lives. When our focus drifts (even slightly) from what matters most, the consequences can be far greater than we realize. Scripture reminds us of this reality. In Luke 10, Martha is busy doing good things—serving, preparing, working—yet Jesus lovingly points out that she has become “worried and troubled about many things.” Mary, on the other hand, chose the better portion: sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening, being present. Both loved Him. Both desired to serve Him. But only one kept her focus where it truly belonged.
As we step into 2026, this is a question worth asking ourselves: Are we so busy doing things for Jesus that we have stopped spending time with Him?
Peter experienced something similar in Matthew 14. He stepped out of the boat in faith and did the impossible (walking on water) until he shifted his focus. The moment he fixed his eyes on the wind and the waves instead of Jesus, fear took over, and he began to sink. The lesson is clear–even when we are doing great things, taking our eyes off Christ can cause us to falter.
The Peril of Distractions
Some distractions come in the form of doubt and discouragement. Voices whisper, “You are not enough,” “God will not come through,” or “This season is too hard.” Yet God’s Word speaks louder. “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1). As He promised Joshua, He promises us: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” When we do God’s will in God’s way with God’s help, nothing can stand in the way of what He intends.
Not all distractions, however, are destructive. Some are deliberate—and divine.
In Exodus 3:1-4 Moses was tending sheep on an ordinary day when God used a burning bush to get his attention. In Acts 9:3-4 Saul was traveling with harmful intent when a blinding light from heaven stopped him in his tracks. In both cases, God disrupted their plans to redirect their purpose. Sometimes the Lord allows interruptions not to derail us, but to realign us.
Jesus Himself modeled how to handle distractions (Mathew 19:13-15). Children, crowds, interruptions—He didn’t see them as inconveniences. He saw them as opportunities to save the lost. In Acts 16:29-32, Paul and Silas did the same. What looked like a mission-ending jail sentence became the very place where a jailer and his household came to faith.
Remaining Focused in a Distracted World
So how do we stay focused in a distracted world? Hebrews tells us to “make straight paths for your feet.” Daniel refused to be distracted—even by good things—when they pulled him away from obedience. Paul pressed forward, refusing to live in the past, always reaching toward what lay ahead in Christ.
As FCAPers, we know what it means to keep our eyes up, to stay mission-focused, and to trust the flight instruments when visibility is low. The same is true spiritually. Psalm 66 reminds us that our lives are in His hands, and He keeps our feet from stumbling.
As 2026 dawns, may we be a people who walk by faith, not by sight. May we resist the dangerous distractions that pull us from Christ, remain open to the divine interruptions that draw us closer to Him, and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Let us stay focused. Let us trust God with what is ahead. And let us move forward together, eyes up, hearts steady, and faith firmly engaged.
