The power of spoken words. They resonate with universal physical laws

1. Page of1 3 Spiritual Resonance Power of the Spoken Word
Spiritual Resonance: The Power (Sermon) of the Spoken Word
The Tacoma Narrows Bridge better known by her nickname, "Galloping Gertie,"
stretched like a steel ribbon across Puget Sound in 1940. The third longest suspension
span in the world opened on July 1st. Four months later, the span's short life ended in
disaster.
The bridge has become famous as "the most dramatic failure in bridge engineering
history." Today it's "one of the world's largest man-made reefs." The sunken remains of
the failed bridge were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992 to
protect her from salvagers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODs4eyQTz5Y&t=182s
The bridge's collapse has had a lasting effect on science and engineering. The event is
presented as an example of what happens when mechanical resonance is overlooked.
The engineers who designed and built the bridge failed to consider a basic law in
physics—mechanical resonance. So, the question is: What’s resonance?
[Second slide]
In our universe, all things vibrate or oscillate at a certain frequency measured in Hz.
Why is this? Because we are made of atoms, and atoms vibrate because of
electromagnetic forces. Man made structures like bridges and buildings, although they
appear to be solid and immovable, have a natural frequency of vibration within them. If
an outside force is applied to an object at the same frequency, it will amplify the
vibration of the object in an occurrence called mechanical resonance. https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvJAgrUBF4w
When I was a young Navy recruit on Worm Island in San Diego, California, my company
crossed over a bridge every morning to get to the main post. We marched in step until
we got on top the bridge, and then we were commanded to break stride—for fear of
creating a mechanical resonance that would have caused the bridge to collapse.
Mechanical Resonance is a strange phenomenon, nonetheless, it is built into the
physical laws of our universe by the hand of God and cannot be ignored.
[Slide Three]

2. Page of2 3 Spiritual Resonance Power of the Spoken Word
I want to speak to you today about a resonance that parallels the physical law of
mechanical resonance. It’s a spiritual law not unlike the physical law of mechanical
resonance; however, it’s unique in that it not only breaks things apart, but creates
things out of nothing. The spiritual law of resonance is the spoken word of God when it
has become: (1) A word of revelation inside us. (2) A word of hesitation—timing we
respect. (3) A word of visualization that we see.
Let’s begin…[Slide Four]
What is the spiritual law of mechanical resonance? For one, it is God’s word revealed to
us and never leaves us. Jeremiah 20:9 “…But his word was in mine heart as a burning
fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.”
When you meditate on scripture and apply it to your life’s circumstances—over time you
develop a very powerful weapon, and you find yourself turning to that weapon time and
time again—Why? Because it works. It works not because someone told you it does. It
works because through trial and error you found that it works. The word has now
become a revealed word, specifically for you and to you.
God can reveal things to you about his word that are unique to you. For example, after
Helen Keller's teacher, Anne Sullivan, had given her the names of physical objects in
sign language, Miss Sullivan attempted to explain God and tapped out the symbols for
the name "God." Much to Miss Sullivan's surprise, Helen spelled back, "Thank you for
telling me God's name, Teacher, for he has touched me many times before." Helen
Keller knew something of God's signature from nature and it was uniquely given to her
without being able to physically hear it.
Speak out boldly what you know to be true about God and his ways.
[Slide Five]
Secondly, the spiritual law of mechanical resonance is a word of hesitation. I use this
word in the sense of timing. Jeremiah 1:12—God told Jeremiah that he would hasten to
perform that word he gave Jeremiah. “Hasten” can throw you. We read it literally as
doing something quickly but in context to Jeremiah the greater understanding has to do
with timing. God does things in his timing—sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly but
always in His timing.

3. Page of3 3 Spiritual Resonance Power of the Spoken Word
Thirdly, the spiritual law of mechanical resonance is a word of visualization.
“Visualization” is used frequently, specially among highly skilled athletes. It goes by
various names such as guided imagery, mental rehearsal, mediation, and a variety of
other things — no matter the term, the basic techniques and concepts are the same.
Visualization is the process of creating a mental image or intention of what you want to
happen or feel in reality. An athlete can use this technique to 'intend' an outcome of a
race or training session, or simply to rest in a relaxed feeling of calm and well-being.
These scenarios can include any of the senses. They can be visual (images and
pictures), kinesthetic (how the body feels), or auditory (the roar of the crowd).
Using the mind, an athlete can call up these images over and over, enhancing the skill
through repetition or rehearsal, similar to physical practice. With mental rehearsal,
minds and bodies become trained to actually perform the skill imagined.
T.E. Lawrence once said, "All men dream but not equally. Those who dream by night in
the dusty recesses of their minds awake to the day to find it was all vanity. But the
dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for the many act out their dreams with open
eyes, to make it possible…"
[Slide Six]
Conclusion: Spiritual resonance can tear apart what blocks your way or build up the
resources needed to live more fully. When you speak God’s word that he has revealed
to you, and that he delivers in his perfect timing for your good, your mind’s eye should
visualize the Tacoma Narrows Bridge that swayed and rocked against the resonate
forces until it could resist no more and fell into the waters below.