I cannot believe that this ministry is almost 1 year old-woot woot! To kick off the celebration, I asked my husband to share what he thinks about whenever he hears the phrase: one degree. Wowzers…here’s a good word for us all to heed:
Chad’s crew while deployed “over there.”
As Tracy’s husband, I have the privilege of guest blogging for her this week. When I am not busy watching the Yankees, helping Tracy learn how to cook, or wrestling with our kids, I am a pilot in the US Air Force.
I’ve been flying for nearly 11 years, and have over 2500 hours of flight time. I’ve flown all over the world, including combat time in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Horn of Africa. I’ve instructed new pilots getting their wings, and currently instruct in the HC-130J, the Air Force’s newest aircraft.
I’ve heard it said that flying is 95% boredom, and 5% sheer terror. I agree completely.
The importance of 1 degree
In aviation, we use a mathematical rule called the 60 to 1 rule. This can be applied in many different ways. For example, if you travel at 60 miles an hour, you are traveling at 1 mile a minute.
Applied another way, the 60 to 1 rule also states that if I am 1 degree off of my assigned heading for 60 minutes at 60 miles an hour, I will end up 1 mile off of course. My aircraft flys close to 240 miles per hour (210 knots in pilot speak), so that would place you four miles off course in that scenario!
The next time you look at a compass, look at how minuscule 1 degree looks on the dial.
However, 1 degree is a matter of life and death in aviation.
As an example, imagine that due to terrible weather conditions, your Southwest Airlines pilot decides to navigate a few degrees off his assigned course, getting 1 mile off course during take off out of Las Vegas McCarran International Airport due to his belief that all paths eventually lead to the same altitude. If he did that, and disregarded the high mountains to the north, the pilot, crew and passengers would certainly die as they impacted the mountains.
Spiritually speaking, 1 degree is also a matter of life and death
John 14:6, an often-quoted verse, states: “Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (NIV, emphasis mine).
In the original Greek, John used the Greek word ho before way. Ho is equivalent to the English word the, which is called a definite article. Jesus did not say that He is a way, but the (Ho) way. Many other faiths claim that they know of a different path. Maybe their teachings are similar or are only “1 degree” off from what is written in the Bible. But as you’ve just learned, after following one way for 60 minutes while being 1 degree off, it does not take you in the right direction-
you are a mile away.
Jesus stated that He is the only way. Do not be misled…
Next time you fly the friendly skies, remember how important 1 degree is to you and your safety. It is the same with Scripture. Anything less than the course that God has given us will result in death.
I welcome any comments that you have.
Chad
“Aviate, navigate and communicate”. I think you just taught on this expression also Chad, by way of your blog! 🙂
Great lesson, Chad! Thank you so much for your service and sacrifices to our great country!! If the chance to be transferred to Fairchild ever comes up, we would love to have your family here.
I just love both of your wisdom! I don’t want to miss out on any more understanding and joy of God by going even slightly different from how He’s shown me so far. Great post Chad! ~ Love out to you both, Amy
Thanks Amy ~Chad
I am just now getting a chance to leave a response from getting to read your thoughts this morning. One of the things that you brought to my mind is how at times I can start out with the very best intentions of accomplish all my LORD has for me, and then something else catches my attention and distracts by just one degree and as you shared in the world’s eyes one degree is not much at all, YET in our LORD’s eyes one degree can totally detour me from each and every blessing that He was wanting to shower on me. One degree in my life can mean staying on my LORD’s course for me or getting to the goal and missing the mark by miles! Taking all you have shared to heart and staying close to Jesus so I can hit HIS Mark! Blessings to you and all your family!
Thank you Tj- I appreciate your comments, and understand the danger of distractions… ~Chad
Whoah Gary-whipping out the pilot training basics! Thanks for your comment and we hope you are doing well ~Chad
Thank you Erin! We will let you know if Fairchild becomes home. That would make flying you and Tracy around a lot easier! ~Chad
Ditto to Amy’s comment. And the others, as well. May God continue to shower you and your precious family with His blessings! Thank you for this, Chad, and for your service to our country. Truly an honor to know you and Tracy. Love, Adele
Thank you Adele! We appreciate your continued prayers, friendship, and support of our family. ~Chad
I completely agree with you about this. It’s so true and people don’t seem to understand or believe it. I always go back to the scripture in Hebrews 2:1 about not forgetting what we’ve learned or we will eventually drift away. Thanks for sharing this!
Thank you Shanna for reading and for sharing Hebrews 2:1. What a good word! Makes me also think about what Paul shared in 2 Cor. 11:3 as well. He was afraid that the Corinthian people were going to be led astray from a “sincere and pure devotion to Christ” by their own thoughts. Our thoughts are so powerful…