Earhart’s quest to circle the globe along a 29,000-mile equatorial route was a bold endeavor for a woman back then. It was a task for anyone for that matter. But she would have been the first ever had she succeeded. Of course she did not, but instead was lost along with her navigator Fred Noonan in July of 1937.
But now The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery, a non-profit foundation promoting aviation archaeology and historic aircraft preservation, have reported new details leading researchers to this conclusion. According to ‘TIGHAR’, Earhart’s plane came down and they likely survived as castaways on a remote island by catching rainwater and eating fish, shellfish, and turtles in order to survive for some uncertain period of time. Using what fuel remained to turn up the engines to recharge the batteries, they continued to radio distress signals for several days, until Earhart’s twin-engine Lockheed Electra aircraft was swept off the reef by rising tides off Nikumaroro Island.
Richard Gillespie, executive director of TIGHAR stated, “Radio distress calls believed to have been sent from the missing plane dominated the headlines and drove much of the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy search. When the search failed, all of the reported post-loss radio signals were categorically dismissed as bogus and have been largely ignored ever since. But the results of the study, he said, “suggest that the aircraft was on land and on its wheels for several days following the disappearance.” In addition, several artifacts found years ago – some of it discovered by Pacific islanders who later inhabited the island – seem to confirm TIGHAR’s conclusion.To many, Amelia Earhart was a hero despite never having accomplished her mission and goal. Even with her great vision and bravery she was lost and never found. Her intentions were simply staggering, but she missed the incredibly high mark that she will always be revered and remembered for. And perhaps these latest findings will give those who care some small measure of closure on her amazing life and death.
There is a spiritual parallel to the life and loss of Amelia Earhart. Scores of well meaning people set high goals, make impressive plans and work hard to achieve their priorities. Sometimes there comes a degree of success and at other times there is not. But typically and tragically, a great many tend to overlook spiritual things along the journey. They fully and mistakenly exclude any thoughts of the reality of the life to come.
Like Amelia Earhart, who was physically lost and never again found, multiple millions go through life and eventually perish in a spiritually lost condition. This occurs even though they know within their hearts that God exists and is due their attention and worship. Instead they ignore what is real and what is soundly taught in Romans chapter one and throughout God’s manual for life – the Bible.
Romans 1:19-21 clearly reveals this tragic condition. “.....because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”
Amelia Earhart possessed the best instructions, directions and equipment available in her field for her day. The same holds true for those who find the great blessing of the unique directions offered in God’s Word. Earhart had what she needed for success, but sadly still failed in the end. But the success rate for those who follow God’s flight plan for their soul’s destiny in Christ is 100 percent, as seen and guaranteed in Scripture.
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:27-29)
Bill Breckenridge
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