In It Together
What a month it has been for astronomy and space exploration! Artemis II has returned us to the moon, breaking records and bringing us one step closer to establishing a permanent presence on Earth’s only natural satellite.
I’m a huge nerd. I love astronomy and learning about the cosmos. It has been wonderful to watch our astronauts not only conduct experiments but also geek out about what they are seeing as they break free of Earth’s orbit. Moreover, it provided an opportunity to reflect upon the significance of our life on this planet. Victor Glover, Integrity’s pilot (and the first black individual to travel to the moon!), offered an inspiring perspective on Easter morning:
“I think for me, one of the really important personal perspectives that I have up here is I can really see Earth as one thing. And you know, when I read the Bible and I look at all of the amazing things that were done for us who were created, it’s — you have this amazing place, this spaceship … called Earth that was created to give us a place to live in the universe. … In all of this emptiness, this is a whole bunch of nothing, this thing we call the universe. You have this oasis, this beautiful place that we get to exist — together.
“I think as we go into Easter Sunday thinking about, you know, all the cultures all around the world … this is an opportunity for us to remember where we are, who we are, and that we are the same thing and that we’ve got to get through this together.”
This is perhaps the ultimate “zoom out” to look at the big picture. It is so easy to allow the problems, aggravations, and controversies of the moment to isolate and consume us. Some days it is easier to simply close ourselves off from the world and be alone. The truth, however, is that we are all part of this blue marble spinning in the cosmos, and we are meant to do this together. In other words, we need one another.
Let me encourage you today that, no matter how you feel, you are not alone. God, in His grace, has placed others in your life to help you when life gets too heavy. The Apostle Paul alludes to this when he writes, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (NIV).
The world feels pretty messed up right now. There is so much suffering, fear, and division. Do not let the onslaught of bad news immobilize you. God is faithful. He will never leave us or forsake us. And He has called us to share the load with one another in times like this, because we are all part of a world that is bigger than any one of us. As Captain Glover reminds us, “we’ve got to get through this together.”
