Beat the Air
Road cars are making huge progress in aerodynamics. Lamborghini launched its patented active-aero system on the Huracan Performante in 2019 and called it Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva, or ALA (which means “wing” in Italian). The wing and struts are both carbon fiber and hollow. When ALA is engaged, flaps at the base open, channeling air through the wing and diverting airflow through ridges underneath. Air blowing out and under the spoiler disrupts the air flowing around the car, creating zero induced drag. It eliminates the effect of the wing as an aerodynamic (in this case, downforce-generating) device. Basically, it’s like the wing isn’t there. But hit the brakes and the valves close and the wing gets to be a wing. Or, turn the wheel sharply to the left and the right wing flap opens and the right half of the wing stalls, while the left valve closes and generates tons of downforce on the inside tire and helps rotate the car. As a result, Performantes and STOs generate more than 7.5 times more downforce than the base Huracan. You need this in a car with 630 horsepower.
Aerodynamic engineers have two options: 1) Adapt a vehicle to the air’s effects as a vehicle pierces through it, or 2) give up the fight and try to push flat planes of automotive mass through the air. They can’t change or eliminate air.
In the Bible, Paul came to a similar conclusion when he described his faith walk. To him, it was more like a road race, with sin and its effects acting like wind and its effects battering against his body:
“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (1Corinthians 9:25-27)
Paul couldn’t change or eliminate sin, and giving up isn’t an option. So he adapted himself to sin’s effects as he lived each day in a sin-filled world. He trained himself like an athlete who knew the rigors of a challenging event, or like automotive aerodynamic engineers who know how powerful wind can be during a race. You can’t eliminate it, but you can certainly adapt to it.
So Paul directed his energies toward himself. Reading his words today reveals what that looked like for him. He constantly familiarized himself with scripture and spiritual songs, reciting both while he was incarcerated. He put himself in challenging situations so he wouldn’t become comfortable, complacent, or prideful. This is what he meant by “beat my body.”
The effects of air at high speed increase exponentially. The crushing effects of sin can feel the same way. If you’ve felt that you’re constantly pushing up against a force that’s only getting stronger – just running and punching at the air – it may be time for a new approach. You can’t outrun it or eliminate it. Giving up isn’t an option; God loves you too much to let you go. In fact, even now he is inviting you to adapt to the reality of sin in the world and in your life.
Today, no matter which way you turn, you will face a headwind of temptation. That’s the reality. But God is with you, sheltering you with healing in his wings (Malachi 4:1-2) and empowering you to adapt your body and mind to temptation.
Some Christ-followers have found gradual victory over temptation by openly talking about it. If that sounds scary, perhaps that fear of openness is the part of your mind or body that God is asking you to “beat.” Other Christ-followers actually take a moment to thank God when they feel tempted, because it’s an opportunity to rely on God’s strength. If life were easy, they say, God’s power may not seem necessary.
How you adapt is up to you. Only you have your body and your mind, and the effects of sin passing over it will affect you differently than it affects the person beside you. Just remember that God is with you. By the work of Jesus, whose body was truly beaten and broken for you, God has given you the “crown that will last forever.”
The 2021 Lamborghini Huracan STO made its 630 horsepower from a 5.2-liter V10 with a staggering 12.7:1 static compression ratio. That means some air molecules that might have otherwise passed over the body are being sucked into one of 10 cylinders and combined with atomized fuel before exploding and creating propulsion. The Huracan STO still faces strong winds, but it also turns them into its advantage as it races toward victory.
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