Prescription for Wholeness

John 16:33 says, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

The life of Charles Lindbergh is quite interesting. He loved to fly. Though he was the first man to fly across the Atlantic (and many were trying in his day), he had a spirit that faced tribulation, rejection, and many obstacles that would cause most men to give up. 

He named his record-setting airplane, The Spirit of St. Louis. In his autobiography of the same name, it is clear that The Spirit of St. Louis is really the spirit of Charles Lindbergh himself. 

Many overcomers have come and gone. The greatest of all is Jesus Himself. He said, “…I have overcome the world.” In John 16:30, the disciples confirmed their faith in Jesus. “Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.” Jesus then asked them if they now believe because the hour has come that they will be scattered and will leave Him alone. 

In the next chapter, Jesus went into great depth praying for them. Following this prayer, they went into the Garden of Gethsemane. The “gethsemane” was an olive press that pressed all of the oil from the olive, leaving only the pulp. It was there that Jesus was pressed beyond measure, until He sweat, as it were, great drops of blood. 

In Lindbergh’s early flying days, his plane sputtered and died. Lindbergh parachuted out, leaving the rudders in a turning position. As the nose dropped, more gas got to the engine and it fired up. The plane descended in a circular pattern at the same rate as Lindbergh. Every lap it came flying at him, as if it were chasing him to the ground. Many men would have vowed to never fly again. Not Charles. He loved to fly and pursued it until he set the Atlantic-crossing record.

When we fall into hard times, we tend to give up. Every lap brings something screaming in our face. We become broken and scattered. Charles Lindbergh had the love for flying—the “spirit of St. Louis” to see him through. The disciples didn’t have that and scattered in brokenness. 

We must not forget that Jesus prayed for them, and His prayers were answered. About fifty days later they received what made “the spirit of St. Louis” seem small; the Holy Spirit fell on them and endued them with power. 

Some men go a long way in their own strength. Most of us find ourselves broken from a fall in life. In my hospital room was a sign that read, “Call, don’t fall.” The nurses were excited because they had thirty “no fall” days in a row. 

The key is calling! Call on Jesus and He will save you. Continue to wait on Him and He will send the Holy Spirit upon you. 

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace” (Helen Lemmel).

This is the prescription for wholeness!