Disclaimer:
Just know up front, that no one was injured in the “unmanned” Antares Rocket explosion yesterday (October 28, 2014) or else this would be a completely different post. Also, I am not a “Rocket Scientist” so any claims made in this post are strictly my opinions and observations. Do not draw any “aerospace engineering and science” conclusions from this post.
Giving 110%…Is That Really Possible?
We always hear people who say they want to give 110% and we understand what they mean. What they are really saying is they want to give everything they have, which is fine. The question I have is this; is it possible to give 110% of yourself? And if you can give more than 100% of yourself how likely is it to result in catastrophic failure? WATCH THE VIDEO and listen carefully as mission control announces at the 3:07 mark of the video “we’ve got main engines at 108%.” (Turn your audio up and watch the video but pay particular attention to what the person giving the rocket launch “play by play” says.)
Could this be the result of trying to give more than what you really you have? I’m all for giving everything when we put our hand to the plow. Paul told the Corinthians he was willing to “spend and be spent” (2 Corinthians 12:15) for them, which is a noble act because he was willing to give everything he had for them. But too often we try to give more than we have and as a result we experience burnout and catastrophic failure in our ministry. Let’s learn a lesson from NASA and the Antares Rocket. Hold back on the 108% of main engines. Give 100% and let God take care of the rest!
What do you think? Is it possible to give 110% without catastrophic failure?
— Keith
Powerful lesson! Certainly caught my attention. Can we give more than 100% without burn-out and crash? Well, I think that when we are thrown into a crisis situation, and our adrenalin cuts in, we can do things that are not possible to do ordinarily.
Like I heard of a man who saw his son turn a tractor over on himself. The man ran and lifted the large tractor off of his son which would have been impossible ordinarily. But we cannot maintain this level of strength and action; it’s only possible for a short while. Even in cases like this, when the adrenalin rush is over, we will collapse for a while until our body is restored.
You make a vital point in comparing this to our efforts to go beyond our natural abilities and trying to do what only God can do. That only exhibits a lack of faith.
I am reminded of David’s case when he was trying to do what Saul wanted him to do, but was incurring Saul’s wrath instead. He asked Jonathan to let him know whether or not he, David, should come to Saul’s celebration. They met in a field and by prearrangement, Jonathan sent the message to David that Saul could not be appeased, and that David must flee for his life. Jonathan said: “Is not the arrow beyond thee?” We need to learn what our limits are and what “is beyond” us.” God has provided adrenalin where and when it is needed and He has provided Faith for what is beyond the reach of our fleshly “works.”
Great lesson!
Thanks Stuart. I speaks volumes to me.