Sunday afternoon was the culmination of an unbelievably extraordinary journey. Two NASA astronauts – two of this Nation’s most highly-trained and least-expendable citizens – returned to this planet. “So what?”, you say. “Astronauts have been leaving and returning safely [for the most part] to this planet on a more-or-less regular basis since 1962. What’s the big deal about it this time?”
Here’s the big deal. On May 30th, those two highly trained astronauts voluntarily climbed aboard and allowed themselves to be blasted into the air on a rocket that had been designed and built by private citizens – not by NASA. It was the hope of all those involved, but perhaps most especially the hope of those two astronauts, that this rocket would not only carry them into orbit around the Earth, and successfully rendezvous with the International Space Station, but would also return them back home alive and well. And, to the great delight of everyone involved, that is exactly what happened.
And all of this began as the vision of one man, Elon Musk. His vision didn’t begin 64 days ago with the launch of this rocket. His company, Space X, through which all of this happened, was started in 2002. But my guess is that the vision that led to the creation of this company and, ultimately, to the amazing launch in May and the return that we witnessed Sunday, began long before 2002. This vision began, I believe, in the imagination of a child – an imagination that was probably fueled by the visions of other people before him that had led them to create movies and TV shows about space travel.
I’m speculating here, but I am guessing that Elon was probably told more than once that his vision of private citizens building rockets and going into space was foolish, that it could never happen, that he’d be better off putting his mind and money into something more reasonable, something more practical, something more “down-to-earth”. I’m also speculating, but it’s likely that, more than once, as costs “sky-rocketed”, and as seemingly insurmountable problems continued to arise, Elon may have wondered why he was even attempting to make his vision come true, why he didn’t just call the whole thing off.
But, he didn’t. He kept going on this unbelievably extraordinary journey, despite all of the problems, despite all of the set-backs, and despite all of the negativity coming from others. He kept on talking about his vision, and he kept on bringing people into the project who could also see the vision, and who could help bring it to reality. And we all got to see, and to be encouraged by, the amazing results.
One more guess about Elon and his vision. I’m guessing that his vision of civilian space travel did not come to him from the Holy Spirit of God. And please don’t get me wrong. I am NOT saying that God is against Elon’s vision. I’m saying, “Look what someone can do with a vision that comes from inside themselves. Imagine what a person can do with a vision that comes from The Lord?”
The day after this rocket was launched, in the culmination of Elon’s vision, was Pentecost. And, I suppose, it was purely coincidentally that at TOCC on that day, we listened to three of our Faith Family describe the visions that they had for our little outpost of The Lord’s Kingdom – visions the Lord has given them, just as was promised to all believers in Peter’s Pentecost sermon in Acts 2:17.
What’s going on with your “vision” for our church? Has it come to completion yet? Have you encountered any problems? Have you encountered any set-backs? Have you heard any negative comments? Have you wondered whether it’s worth it to continue working to achieve your vision?
I believe that both Elon, and all of God’s people, would tell you that now is not the time to quit; now is not the time to give up on your vision. Keep dreaming; keep seeing the vision; keep praying; keep telling the rest of us about the vision God has given you for The Kingdom here so that we can see it too and join with you and The Holy Spirit to make it happen; and keep working.
And as you keep on doing all of this, keep thinking of how The Lord will be glorified when the vision He has given you becomes reality!
~Shepherd Ambrose Ramsey
