(Wielding The Warhead of Personal Retreats for A Lifestyle of Conquest)
In our last discussion, we examined one of the most distinguishing characteristics of Jesus’ life on earth and how this played a major role in keeping Him on track to successfully fulfill ministry and destiny – His lifestyle of regular personal retreats. We observed that most heroes of the Bible experienced their own seasons of personal retreats, either voluntarily or inadvertently. We recalled the 1985 movie of homonymous title where the protagonist submitted to a series of personal retreats to master the art of karate from his revered mentor’s spirit and evolved as the victorious champion who conquered the shame of defeat, prevailed over his enemies, put an end to their neighborhood tyranny and ran them out of town.
We deduced that this Biblical pattern is highly suggestive that every lover of Jesus will likely have to follow the same pathway to destiny achievement and optimization. Today, we journey further into the nuts and bolts of personal retreats, but before we do, let us examine another foundational matter.
The Secret Life of Jets
I get goosebumps each time I am on an aircraft or observe one in action, and will likely never get over the wonder and thrill these sleek and sovereign mechanical birds generate! My eyes are usually glued like a magnet to the vessel until it completes its action, whether it is a majestic taxiing and take off, a graceful soaring, descent and landing, or simply just observing the magnificent machine sitting on the tarmac in its resplendent glory!
Large planes are particularly awe-inspiring to me, the Jumbo Jet (Boeing 747) being my all-time favorite (with a polite concessionary tip of the hat to the Super Jumbo {Airbus A 380}, which is another breathtaking combined work of art and science exceeding the dimensions of the 747 {save length-wise}, but to whom I refuse to relinquish my prototype and home-base allegiances). That said, it would be remiss not to acknowledge the prodigious Concorde, understatedly the greatest aviation sensation of its time. Its superlative super-sonic speeds superseded science’s ability to supply a sustainable source of subsistence; in my opinion, it was an innovative phenomenon way ahead of its time.
If I had the luxury of a cat’s proverbial nine lives, one of those would be dedicated to studying aviation and specifically to training as a pilot. As it is, I’m limited to my one lifetime allotment, so must stick to my primary life’s assignment while making do with dreaming vicariously through the lives and lenses of aviation experts and media portrayals.
Experts share behind-the-scenes insights that keep these stately birds going. According to the National Aviation Academy (NAA), the Federal Aviation Administration requires each airline or operator to establish a Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Program (CAMP), which outlines routine and detailed inspections that must be implemented for all aircrafts in their fleet. These inspections are vital to optimal performance and welfare as they keep the aircrafts safe and airworthy. They ensure they consistently operate optimally and as intended and provide an opportunity to repair any anomalies, damages or update any outdated or worn out components.
They range in intensity and duration from line maintenance checks to alphabet name (A to D) checks. Line maintenance checks are the most routine and require the least time, usually performed overnight at the plane’s gate. A and B checks represent the next phases of intensity and are typically done concurrently within the plane’s hanger, requiring anywhere from ten hours to three days to complete. C and D checks are heavy maintenance checks and involve much greater detail, precision, parts and time commitments. They usually occur in a maintenance facility and take anywhere from one to two or four to six weeks respectively. Such rigorous maintenance programs ensure that the aircraft has been repaired and fully vetted for any issues before departing for each flight. This promotes an optimal flying experience and safe arrival at each destination.
One may be wondering what any of this has to do with our subject matter. The Bible likens people know Jesus as their Lord and Savior to doves flying like clouds (Isaiah 60:8), those who go to God for refuge to eagles (Deuteronomy 32:11-14; Isaiah 40:29-31), and juxtaposes all of such to sparrows (Psalms 84:3; Matthew 10:29-31). These allegories suggest that believers have attributes similar to birds, the most obvious of which is their in-built ability to fly. We will examine this later, but it suffices to mention that several scriptures indicate God’s plan for the believer to soar in the high places of life and to dominate life’s winds and storms. Like the powerful adult eagle and it’s seasoned, strong-muscled wings, lovers of Jesus should be so prepared and conditioned that they remain dauntless in the face of strong currents of adversity, and rather take advantage of them to mount up higher, stronger, and attain their destination faster than they would have without such resistance blowing against them.
Similarly, jetliners are inherently built for speed, capacity, power, and other gravity-subjugating feats previously considered impossible. These machines must have a schedule of regular, systematic maintenance down-times where they retreat from their usual service and activities to undergo thorough systems checks, repairs and appraisals for ongoing performance and safety. The very lives and destinies of the people they service depend on these scheduled maintenance downtimes.
If common sense, aviation safety, aircraft durability and performance optimization dictate that these mechanical birds undergo such scheduled retreats, the same logic and principles surely must apply to spiritual “birds”, all of whom were created to perform great aerial feats to positively impact the lives and destinies of many. (Ephesians 2:10, 1 Peter 2:9; John 14:12)
As a spiritual bird of great import and impact, when was your last systems maintenance retreat?