Scripture reading: Hebrews 12:25–29

Breaking Through

Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace
to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly.
Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him. (Psalm 85:8–9)

Braking the sound barrier was a challenge that confronted test pilots for decades. As a plane approached the speed of sound (approximately 760 mph), the aircraft would experience an increase in air resistance that made the plane much more difficult to control. The vibrations would become so violent that it felt as if pushing forward would cause the plane and pilot to disintegrate in a thousand pieces. Consequently, as pilots approached the sound barrier, they would instinctively back off the throttle and slow down. Many theorists concluded that the sound barrier simply could not be broken; to make the attempt would be a recipe for self-destruction. “It’s impossible,” these nay-sayers asserted. “It can’t be done. Let’s just accept our subsonic reality.”

But in 1947, the US Bell X1 rocket aircraft finally did what most thought was impossible. As the pilot approached the speed of sound and the vibrations reached their peak of intensity, rather than backing off the throttle, he pushed forward, coaxing his plane to go faster! Surprisingly, as he broke through to the other side, he suddenly entered a realm of peace and serenity. The vibrations ceased as he accelerated beyond the speed of sound and flight became calm and smooth. He discovered that supersonic flight was not a recipe for self-destruction; rather, it was an invitation to a new dimension of serenity and peace.

Do you feel like your life is experiencing turbulence? Are things shaking violently in your world so that it feels like everything is about to disintegrate? Do you seem trapped by a barrier you cannot cross? Then I want to ask you to do a very courageous thing. Buckle your seat belt, take a deep breath, say a prayer and push forward on the throttle! I know you want to pull back and back off, but don’t do it. It may feel for a moment like all hell is breaking loose. But don’t pull away. Press forward! Peace and tranquility are just a short distance ahead. But you must
penetrate the “barrier” to find it. An old hymn written by John Keith helps us to better understand how we should respond when we find ourselves terrified at the thought of pushing forward to break through some barrier confronting us.

Fear not, I am with thee, oh be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand.
When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.
The soul that on Jesus doth lean for repose,
I will not, I will not, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.

Suffering is therefore birth pangs.
Beyond suffering there is the joy of new birth.
—Peter Kreeft

point to ponder • Turbulence is at its worst before one breaks into the calm.

prayer focus • Someone in the thick of crisis.