Getting Ahead
Remember those black-painted jets portraying the Russian insulters bearing down on the US aircraft carrier in Top Gun? Those were Northrup F-5 fighters which are an iteration of the T-38 Talon trainer aircraft used to train student pilots in the US Air Force when I entered the program. It is still used by NASA to keep astronauts proficient in flying. It is a supersonic aircraft capable of an initial climb rate of 30,000 feet per minute and a roll rate of 720 degrees per second. It is known to Air Force pilots as the “White Rocket.”
The first time I flew the T-38, I was with an instructor who was in the back seat. While lined up for takeoff on the end of the runway, I released the brakes and pushed the two throttles to the forward stops which lit the afterburners. Both engines shot a 15’ streak of blue fire visible even in daylight. I could feel my back being pushed deeper into the front seat as we accelerated down the runway. Before I could catch my breath, we were flying over the Valdosta, GA countryside at 350 miles per hour, the legal limit, at 1,000’ above the ground. My helmet was filled with the menacing voice of my instructor, whose primary method of teaching was fear, sarcasm, and ridicule, yelling “You are way behind the aircraft lieutenant! Catch the hell up!”
As time and experience increased, I learned to think ahead and prepare for every possible eventuality I might encounter on every mission. A common tactic was to “chair fly” the takeoff, approach, and emergency profiles while sitting in a desk chair in front of a cockpit mock-up taped to the wall in front of me– a practice I took with me during my 30 years in aviation. It is essential to get ahead of the aircraft and stay there until parked on the ramp with the brakes set, engines shut down, and the checklist read. Yes, I knew a Captain who was called back to the airport to shut down the engines–I swear it was not me!
I think most of us have encountered events during the conduct of our everyday affairs that we were not expecting and were not prepared for. At the moment, I am dealing with an email platform breakdown that has been hinting at failure for several weeks. I should have gotten ahead of the problem instead of having to take drastic measures on a busy work day.
The same principle applies to our personal and spiritual lives. It is essential to be prepared for the events that seemingly stand in the shadows, waiting for us to stumble upon them. Before we leave our homes each morning, it behooves us to go to that quiet place, shut the door behind us, and check-in with the God who sees what’s out there, and has a plan, not only for our day, but for our lives. Let Him know that although we may think we are strong, we realize that we are dependent upon His love and protection. Asking Him for His grace to envelop our steps and forgive our miss-steps even before they are taken. Forgiving those who we perceive as having harmed us and taking the drastic measure of praying for their well-being. Showing gratitude for all the blessings that shower our lives in abundance. As we practice getting ahead in this way, the tide of battle turns even as we close the door behind us.
“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up on wings as eagles.”
Kent
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