I learned this simple yet profound principle over the weekend that comes from a study of rocket science. It's called the one-eighth of an inch principle. The principle goes that if a rocket set for a course to the sun was off by even just one-eighth of an inch, it would be off by 40,000,000 kilometres by the time it travels the distance it was set for.
We see this principle apply also in the life of people. What may seem like small "miscalculations" and mistakes will certainly multiply through time. Unless we make the right adjustments early on, we will be way off course by the end of our journey and nowhere near where we intended to be. What might seem like just a small bad habit, a little sin, a little pride could spell out disaster for us.
The good news however is that it's never too late to change course. In the same way one-eighth of an inch could throw off a rocket from it's original course, it also takes a counter-adjustment of only that size to bring us back to the right direction.
Romans 12:2 says, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
It's amazing to think that something as small as renewing a mindset could transform our whole life, but the Bible tells us that really is the case. Simply changing the way we think about money, time, relationships, or even God can change us radically for the better.
But as simple and minute as a change of mindset might be, many times it feels like moving a hundred ton rocketship in the middle of space. Changing our mindset is terribly difficult, but it's not impossible. What does it take to change our mindset and make that small one-eighth of an inch recalibration to bring us back to our true course?
The answer is found in the previous verse, Romans 12:1, in which he says, "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God..." God's mercy and grace has the power to change everything for us.
There's a song that goes, "By the power of His blood, we are daughters and sons. His grace changes everything." Indeed God's grace can change anyone at anytime. No one is ever too far from changing in the sight of God. Maybe today that's you. You're thinking that it's too late for you to let go of those bad habits, sin or pride that have been throwing you off course for such a long time. Know that it's never too late for God.
A right view of the mercy and grace of God made available through the work of Christ will radically change our mindsets and set us back onto the course that God has laid out for each and every one of us. It takes a little push - a little change in the way we think - but that will greatly affect the way we live and the things that we do, and ultimately ensure that we reach where we want to be, which is at home for eternity with Jesus.
