Christopher Yuan’s mother taught him a Chinese proverb: “A millimeter discrepancy leads to a thousand mile loss.”

To explain its meaning he tells the story of Korean Airlines flight 007. It departed from New York City for South Korea in 1983. After refueling in Alaska, something went wrong with the autopilot. It was off by a few degrees. After one hour, the plane was 12 miles off course. 

After 5 hours, it had drifted into Russian airspace. At that time, tensions were high. The plane was shot down by a Russian fighter jet. 269 people died.*

It’s a tragic story. Among other things, it reminds us that details which seem ‘little’ (like being off by a few degrees) are not that little at all. 

In life, drift can happen. We can drift from the teachings of Jesus. At first, it doesn’t seem like much. ‘It’s not a big deal,’ we think. Being a few degrees off is not like going in the opposite direction. But over time, a slight drift grows into a large discrepancy. The divergent path increases. Instead of heading toward your destination, you start to head toward disaster.

That’s why we need to be open to making mid-course corrections. 

We always need to come back to the wisdom of Christ. Jesus said: “everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24). That’s the definition of true wisdom. It is hearing Jesus’ words and putting them into practice. 

This wisdom will help or bless every aspect of your life. Think about how you approach priorities, relationships, morality, decision-making, politics, time use, work or school, sexuality, life at home, future planning, or family and friends.

Is something off? Even just a little? 

You might need to make a mid-course correction and re-calibrate to the wisdom of Christ.

“A millimeter discrepancy leads to a thousand mile loss.”

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Notes:

–New Sermon: “Your Christ Compass.” Related to today’s devotional, this sermon from January 7, 2024 unpacks the mysterious visit of the wise men to the infant Jesus. Click here.

–*As quoted and told by Dr. Christopher Yuan in his online curriculum titled ‘Holy Sexuality.’

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.