Have you ever marveled at the power of tunnel boring machines (TBMs)? These massive drillers, with their enormous bits, relentlessly grind through earth and rock, carving out new tunnels inch by inch. The process demands hours of focused effort, but when it’s done, a brand-new pathway emerges, ready to carry vehicles or trains to their destinations. Similarly, in our own lives, we must be willing to embrace the grind, consistently working to carve out new capacities within ourselves.

Wikipedia describes a tunnel boring machine (TBM), affectionately known as a “mole” or a “worm,” as “a machine used to excavate tunnels through hard rock, wet or dry soil, or sand, each requiring specialized technology.” These machines are designed to minimize disturbance to the surrounding ground, creating smooth tunnel walls that reduce the cost of lining and make them ideal for urban areas. Despite their high construction costs and the logistical challenges of transporting larger machines, TBMs become increasingly cost-effective for longer tunnels.

Over the years, tunneling speeds have dramatically increased. The first TBMs managed just 4 meters per week, but within forty years, that speed quadrupled to 16 meters per week. By the end of the 19th century, they were exceeding 30 meters per week. Today’s 21st-century rock TBMs can blast through over 700 meters of rock in the same time.

So, what’s the takeaway from the TBM story? If you maintain consistent effort toward your goals, you can carve out a clearer path for increased capacity to handle the traffic of life, regardless of your environment. The longer you persist, the less significant your initial efforts will seem because you’ll have built enough momentum to achieve remarkable results. And just like those mighty TBMs, your victory will become inevitable.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Galatians 6:9 (NIV)