So the other day, I was on a plane heading back from California. All this talk about stretching boundaries, getting out of our comfort zones, exploring new territories and perspectives, it’s all starting to really open up and create some interesting opportunities I hadn’t exactly planned on … but certainly needed. In line with all this, I took a trip out to the west coast to, you know, check things out and consider what it’d be like to go out in deep waters and venture past the shores I’ve become all too familiar with.
So I’m heading home after a pretty incredible trip, on the last leg of my flight, when the guy next to me pulls out a binder and opens the pages to some absolutely insane notes. You know, the kind of notes that are full of mathematical equations and definitions that would get your head spinning. At the top of the page were the words “Nuclear Transformation”. You’ve gotta be kidding me! Now how do you like that?!
Not sure if you’ve gathered it or not, but I’m a little fascinated by science … I mean, quantum physics, awe and wonder. Anything that throws my head in a tailspin — you know, in a good way — to get me thinking about life in whole new dimensions, that’s the stuff I love. But if there’s one area of science that catches my attention more than anything, it’s nuclear power. Or shall I say, NEW, CLEAR POWER.
You see, one of the greatest images I ever received was of a nuclear explosion. Around it I saw all these people — thousands of them, with chains on their hands and feet — and when the blast went off, all those chains flew off in one incredible instant. I mean whatever it was that was holding them had absolutely nothing on the power of this explosion … everything just incinerated and left each person free and unhindered. And the radiation that came off the explosion … yeah, it burned off all their pain, disease, depression, etc. Pretty amazing. Loud and clear I was getting over and over again that this was nuclear power — a “new, clear power” — and that love is the power that, when radiated, completely changes things. To walk in that kind of power, wow, how amazing would that be? I mean, in it’s purest most powerful form. It’s one of those images I’ve always held close and believed I would get to be a part of, in some way … one day.
But here we are … today … and I’m on this trip, and had actually shared this whole nuclear explosion idea with a friend of mine while in California. She had had similar thoughts, herself, and we both agreed these were pivotal times, when living a life of power and love is more important than ever. There’s a lot out there that needs some new, clear power … and here I was, flying home next to this guy who seemed to hold a lot of the answers.
“Yeah, I’m a nuclear physicist. Studying for a board exam.”
Wow. Well, I didn’t want to interrupt him so turned to look out the window and ponder how this all must be connected. Nuclear Transformation … hmm … has got to be converting regular energy into nuclear energy. Relate that to life and we’re looking at moving from a place of, well, life as we know it, to a place of real power and strength. Scientifically, nuclear transformation has got to happen at the atomic level so, life-wise, it’s got to happen for us, too, at our very core … you know, a heart level. I think I’m getting it … if we want a life of new, clear power, it really does start with our hearts and making the changes there. Sort of that quantum physics thing … address the core component, get the understanding there and it affects everything as a whole. Makes sense.
But there was still more. Every now and then I’d glance over at his notes and see something that would stretch my questioning. Like “x-ray”. Hmm … wonder how all that plays into things. X-ray vision … having vision to see past things? I was dying to ask him questions but, again, didn’t want to intrude … seemed like serious business.
Fortunately, though, I wouldn’t have to wait long and we were making our final descent. The announcement came on to return all tray tables and seats to their upright positions and my physicist was folding his binder and putting it away.
“So are you heading home?” he asks. (Ah, yes, an open door!)
“Yeah, heading home. Was out in California doing a bit of exploring. (pause …) Actually, too, I’ve got a question for you. Believe it or not, I’m fascinated with nuclear physics … in an unconventional kind of way. I was wondering … nuclear transformation … I’m assuming that’s when you convert energy into nuclear power … how exactly does that work? It’s done at the atomic level, right?”
“It is. And basically, it happens when you move atoms from a normal to an unstable state. Once they’re in an unstable state, that’s when they become nuclear powered and emit radiation.”
“Ah, got it …” and I explained a bit of the life scenario angle I was contemplating. “So if we take what you’re saying, and I’m going about life with ‘normal energy’ I’m not going to get anywhere. In order for me to really radiate, I’ve got to get in a place where life’s actually unstable.
“Exactly. Believe it or not a lot’s been written about similarities between physics and philosophy.”
“I believe it. And awesome, too, thanks for the confirmation I needed on all these changes I’m making. So how about x-ray? I saw x-ray in your notes. What’s that all about? Specifically, when I think x-ray, I think x-ray vision.”
“Well, again, when atoms are made unstable, they also release x-rays. So, for example, if I were to shine a normal light on my hand, it would hit my hand and not go any further. But with x-ray vision, atoms in that light are unstable and so can move through my hand to the other side, letting you see everything in its path.”
“Okay, soo … if I’ve got an obstacle in my life, and I look at it with normal eyes, I’ll never get past it. But … if I let myself be in a place of uncertainty, it’ll cause me to look beyond my limitations. I’ll be able to see with new vision, look past the obstacles in life and find a way through them.”
“Heh, heh. You’re definitely on the right track!”
Wow, I love physics! So all these changes, these new places of uncertainty, these are actually what lead us to a life of new, clear power. Live a life that you know and understand, and well, your world becomes a powerless circle of mediocrity.
Don’t you just love science?! Change is good. It’s necessary. Science proves it!
Thanks, Mr. Physics guy. I think you just gave me my new motto on life … Step out, embrace change, go deep — radiate!
You know, there are so many incredible characteristics I love about eagles. The one I love most, in particular, though, is what they do in the face of a storm. They ride it.
A storm is created when there is a warm front that collides with a cold front. When this happens, the warmer air pushes upward and the colder air, downward. The sudden change in atmospheric pressure creates the storm clouds and rain that we’re all too familiar with.
Well, what an eagle does is, first off, it can sense when a storm is coming. When this happens, it positions itself in a place where it can then catch the warm front when it arrives. At that point, the eagle relaxes its wings and rests on the storm, letting the storm, itself, lift it up and bring it to higher heights.
When the storms in life come, it’s because there’s been a change in our world that suddenly throws everything in a frenzy. Things may be going fine one moment, but then seemingly from nowhere something gets thrown into the mix to spin it all off course. Rain happens. That’s for sure. The question is, when the rains do fall, do we choose to align ourselves with the warm front or do we instead choose the cold? Natural tendency is to follow the cold front. Choosing faith in the midst of turmoil is a conscious decision and not something we’re easily prone to do especially when the world is spinning around us. But make that choice and the challenges in life actually become the very force that brings us to greater heights.
The key is that trust factor. You know, the thrust I had mentioned once before. That’s how we get on the warm front and what keeps us up there ‘cause, God knows, lose a bit of that and the winds below will suck us down. Note, however, that an eagle senses when a storm comes before it happens and strategically aligns itself with it. He lets it then come in underneath and hold him, and then he rests. In other words, keep trust a daily part of your life and when the storms come, you’ll be prepared.
Trusting and believing go hand-in-hand and I once heard the best definition of “believe” was “to stretch out and rest on.” You know, stop trying to control things and just let go … let your full weight sink in. That’s trusting entirely. No trying to work something, make it happen. Just believe. Relax. Ahh. When we believe in the “warm front”, that’s when we are brought higher. Choose instead to stay earthbound and we’re hanging with the turkeys and chickens. You know, people who are, well, clueless or just downright scared. No slam on them ; ) … we’ve all been there, myself included, but, well, you get the point.
So then, you say, “Well, great. Sounds wonderful. But what if I’m just having a hard time flying. I mean, all this makes sense and sounds awesome but when life hits, it isn’t that easy.” Touché. I’m right there with ya.
No, life isn’t easy. It rains. It rains a lot. And I’m still learning to fly, myself. And, no, all this faith and believing didn’t just happen out of thin air. It’s something we have to exercise, you know, like a muscle. No one’s born automatically knowing how to fly … eagles included. We get knocked around. More than we’d like. But guess what, it’s going through the storms that actually prepares us for the ascent.
Each time we decide to face another day, stretch our faith a little more, pick up and go at it again … believe … we’re that much closer to lift-off. Put it this way, geeze, about 4 years ago I had this vision where I was on the top of a mountain and God told me, “You trust me.” I practically laughed at him. I knew full and well I didn’t trust him … at all. I mean, if you looked at all my journals from the 4 years before then, the overlying message was, “Trust me. Trust me. Trust me.” It’s something that was not coming easily for me … by any stretch. Finally now I’m getting to a point where, yeah, I am realizing I trust him, but that’s only ‘cause I went through the mess and got to places where there really was nothing else I could do but to trust him. It was totally out of my hands, dead end, “I’m done for unless you come through for me” … and he always did. So yeah, if you’re struggling with the whole trust factor, don’t worry. Not one bit. Been there, done that … got the Tshirt … and still learning.
Here, this story’s always been one of my favorites. Once there was a little eaglet who fell out of his nest and landed in a turkey farm far below. He ended up living there, and that’s where he grew up … with the turkeys and, well, becoming quite a bit like them. Problem is, he never felt like he really, truly fit in. Something just wasn’t right. He had these big wings that kept on getting in the way, this beak that made it tough to eat grain off the ground. It was all wrong, but that was all he knew so he lived with it. Well, one day, he looked up and saw this absolutely gorgeous, majestic bird. And of course, it was an eagle. The eagle came swooping down to him and the eaglet, now grown up, was in complete and total awe, commenting too on how much he wished he could be just like him. The eagle responded, “You are … you just don’t know it.” And that’s when the eagle realized who he was and was able to fly where he belonged.
We’re all eagles. Problem is, we just don’t know it. We’re all born with purpose and destiny. Someone with purpose and destiny is an eagle. So then, guess what, that means you. We just need to recognize that then choose to leave the turkey farm and stretch out our wings. The more we get to know who we really are, who we were made to be, the easier it is.
Heh, heh … you know, that song from way back when … from the movie An Officer and a Gentleman is coming to mind now. The words … “Love lift us up where we belong. Where the eagles cry, on a mountain high.” Okay, maybe a little sappy for us right now but if you listen to the words, it’s pretty appropriate. Up where we belong. And it’s love that does that. Not love from another person, either … a much greater love than that.
Point is, we’re definitely not alone. And we’re definitely made for great things. Remember this, storms can make us … or storms can break us. But when they break us, even then, that is beauty in the making.
They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.
They shall rise up upon wings of eagles.
They shall run and not grow weary.
They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
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> See Also: Awe and Wonder – Video 4 (6:50) and Video 5.
“Sight is a function of the eyes, but vision is a function of the heart.”
~ Dr. Myles Munroe
Vision. Without it we fail. It creates passion, it creates trust. It creates the very force that enables us to fly. In my last blog I mentioned how the cause of “division” in relationships is found in the very word, itself — di + vision = divided vision. When two people can’t see eye -to-eye, that’s when division happens. When it comes down to it, that’s the real cause of divorce.
But what were to happen if we had common vision. Better yet, not just agreeing on issues, but having an actual purposeful vision for our lives and working together for that common cause? Could you imagine? It’d be like a chemical reaction … the result greater than the total sum of its parts. A nuclear explosion. A serious force to recon with!
Each person is born with purpose and destiny. That’s something I truly believe. Whether or not we step into that calling, though, depends on us. Are we willing to seek after it? Are we willing to trust and believe? Are we willing to lay it all down, make the sacrifices, fight the odds? Whether we attain our dreams or not, all depends on vision. Again, what we see is what we get, and if we lose sight of the goal, look instead at the challenges around us, we’ll never achieve our purpose, nor will we be happy until we do. All the more reason to stay focused.
We know that we are relational beings meant to live and thrive with one another. None of us are meant to go about this alone. Our hopes, our dreams, the purposes for our lives, are specifically designed to require the support of others. It fuels that connection, that working together, that unity, that bond. The life-blood that makes us human. Impacting that unity on national levels happens the same way as it does on our personal levels. In Quantum Physics, I talked about how this can all be explained through understanding a healthy marriage. Take those principles, apply them to national levels and voila! Of course it’s a little more complicated than that but at the very core there is a lot of truth to it all. So then, the question is what does a healthy marriage look like? If that’s such a big part of the answer, how do we get there? Well, let me share how I’ve come to see it. Vision’s a part of it, that’s for sure. But there’s still a whole lot more.
In my last entry, just to recap, I shared a dream in which a plane was being built for me that would fly with a power and strength unlike anything I could ever imagine. The full potential of the plane, too, all came down to the window. This dream dealt with a relationship I had had, a “plane” that had crashed and burned. The ultimate relationship that was in store for me would reach incredible heights — not because of the engine, but because of the window. It signified vision … that common vision I’m talking about. Look at planes and there’s a separate window by each seat, giving each person their own separate view and perspective. The window in my dream, however, was long enough to span two seats, providing a shared view, a shared perspective and vision … and that’s why this plane would fly unlike any other.
Well, about a week or so after I got all that, I was spending some quiet time one morning seeking direction. Interestingly enough, three of the biggest relationships from my past had just come back into my life. So I’m like, “Okay, God, I know which one I want. Which one do you want?”
No sooner had I asked than I saw each of them standing on a hill. The one I was drawn to was top center, the other two to either side of him. All of a sudden it’s like I could almost hear a rumble — like engines — and this fighter jet came shooting upward at top notch speeds. It shot up like a rocket, from behind the hill, and took up the guy who was standing in the middle into the front cockpit. I was already in the plane, in the back seat. The plane blasted through the atmosphere breaking through every limit in an instant, and never stopped.
Holy cow! THAT’s my plane???!!! I just assumed it was going to be a passenger plane — a commercial airliner. I never imagined it’d be a fighter jet! But how perfect!! And the window … oh, my God … the window. It was the very first thing I noticed. One big window, like a bubble, providing shared vision in every direction. Left, right, forward, back, upward, down — complete and total common vision no matter what direction we looked in. Incredible. But it didn’t stop there. Immediately I was shown all the other reasons why this relationship was a fighter jet and not a passenger plane. Vision brought us together but in that we were equipped with so much more.
#1 … first and foremost, on a fighter jet, there is no room for baggage!I had to laugh at that one! Anyone who has true vision for their lives, has let go of the baggage that once burdened them down. A plane with vision has no room for that weight.
#2. Communication. On a passenger plane, you’re flying with other people. And that’s how it was in the previous relationship. If we had problems, we’d talk to our friends, but not to one another. We had no communication. In a fighter jet, it’s just the two of you … together … as a team. You have direct communication with one another and don’t involve others in the affairs of your mission.
#3. Purpose. In a fighter jet, you’re flying for a reason. You’re on a mission, working together to impact the world as a united force. On a passenger plane, you’re just amiably going from point A to point B with no real purpose in sight.
#4. Managed Control. On a passenger plane, you really have no control over where or how you’re flying. You’re completely at the mercy of the one piloting the plane. On a fighter jet, however, each of you has controls. You can decide which way to turn, which way to go, but the key is neither of you are controlling. Ultimate control comes from the control tower that set you on the mission to begin with. You both honor the orders you’ve been given to work together jointly and you’re given these controls because you’ve been trusted to carry out the cause that has been assigned to you. You’ve gone through the tough “training” and “earned your wings” so to speak. With vision, there’s no manipulation. People in unhappy relationships try to control one another and this does nothing more than put their plane in a tailspin. A plane with vision is no longer about you or your own agenda. Your sights are set, jointly, on your purpose and it’s impact on others.
#5. Direction. You are able to work with the control tower and steer effectively in a fighter jet because the plane is specially equipped with high-tech navigation. You can see what challenges lurk about, the best direction to take, and the assurance that you are not in this mission alone. In a passenger plane, however, there’s no sense of navigation or the condition of the territory you’re flying in. It isn’t until you’re experiencing turbulence, already knee-deep in the problem, that you can tell something’s wrong with nothing much you can do about it at all.
#6. Defenses. In a passenger plane, you have no protection. No defenses. Nothing to ward off anything that may come your way. On the other hand, a fighter jet is equipped with state of the art weapons to fight off attacks and challenges, keeping you safe and proving the mission victorious.
By the end of all this I was amazed. And once I received these things, I had just one question — “What is the name of this plane?!!”
I immediately heard, “Eagle”.
Well about two weeks after that, I was visiting my brother and we decided to go to the Uvar Hazy Air and Space Museum put out by the Smithsoian. Neither one of us had been there before and as soon as we arrived I stopped in my tracks. Airlplanes! The place was like a massive hangar filled with planes. “My plane! It’s in here, I know it is!” and I was immediately on a quest to find it. I knew exactly what it looked like. It was dark gray and had the window that stretched over two pilots.
No matter where we walked, though, I couldn’t find it. In the middle of the museum was the Blackbird Stealth Bomber but that was clearly not it. Surrounding it were a bunch of war planes from back in the day, still no luck. The closest thing I could find was a Tom Cat — you know, the plane used in the movie, Top Gun. But those are silver. Mine was dark gray and, besides, its name was an Eagle.
When we got to the end of our tour, I had almost given up when I looked in a glass case that was standing by me and saw a small 8” model … and there it was. Dark gray, double pilots, window over them both. There was no question … that was it! I didn’t even have to look at the label but when I did — LOL! — F-15 Strike Eagle!! I’d found my plane.
As soon as I got home, I immediately Googled “F-15 Strike Eagle”. Not only does it do everything that I was told it would … it is the only plane in existence that does those things! In aeronautics testing, it out performs any other. It’s the only double-pilot jet with steering enabled both in the front and back seats. I’ve also since talked to pilots who have confirmed that the F-15 would be able to shoot vertically like a rocket because of the positioning of its engines, centrally located in the back. Other jets have engines that are wider spaced and wouldn’t have the same vertical stability. Also most other jets are only built for one pilot and don’t have the same backup support available with two.
Which brings me to the fact that further research showed me the position of the front seat (the husband) is the pilot. It’s his job to steer the plane and ultimately decide where it goes. The back seat (the wife) is the Weapons Systems Officer (WSO or “wizzo”). The WSO can pilot the aircraft when needed but this is typically done during non-tactical portions of the mission. Also, too, the piloting is not as effective from that seat as it is from the front. Rather, her primary role is navigation (seeking direction) and protection (there’s a lot of power in a praying wife). She communicates clearly with the pilot, who can confirm direction with the navigational tools he’s been given, and effectively steer the plane in its due course. They’re a team. He does the driving, she helps direct and ward off attacks.
It’s true what they say — behind every great man is a great woman. They work together side by side, both equally vital with specially designed roles. When you catch a vision for your life it’s amazing. Life gets filled with passion, purpose and strength. Share that vision with someone else and hold onto your seat! That common vision, the trust you have, the love and respect, and submission to your commanding officer — you know, the one who put that vision in your hearts to begin with — these are the things that make for a successful mission, a relationship that supersedes the storm and soars on wings of eagles!
Recommended Reading
To gain a clear vision for your life, I recommend reading The Principles and Power of Vision
Keys to Achieving Personal and Corporate Destiny
by Dr. Myles Munroe
