252,756,000 miles—that’s how far from earth the Artemis 2 crew traveled from our big blue planet, Earth. Astonishing! It was an amazing feat, no doubt. But those of us who were alive in the 1960’s and 70’s remember an even more astonishing feat. We saw men walk on the moon! The Apollo 13 crew traveled almost as far—248,655,000 miles—and took “one small step for man and one giant leap for mankind” (Neil Armstrong).
Explorers of God’s Vast Universe
Man has been intrigued by the greater universe long before the Artemis 2 mission. We’ve had a desire to know what’s out there, to explore places we’ve never been, and to test our scientific knowledge in zero gravity. It reminds me of the Polynesian voyagers in the movie, “Moana”. The voyagers sing about setting a course for new horizons. (Yes, I know all the Moana songs, I have grandkids.) We’re like the Polynesian voyagers, but our islands are planets, moons, and stars.
As we followed the Artemis 2 mission, we were awed by the new photos of the moon, the dark side—in better resolution than in the 60’s—and the views of our beautiful planet from space. It’s impossible to see these images and not wonder who created it all. Everything has an origin, right? Could it possibly have just happened by chance? I don’t think so.
The Universe and the Greatness of God
For believers, space exploration only magnifies the greatness and creativity of our God. The universe is so vast and varied we could never explore every corner of it. God has gifted man with a mind (in some cases, scientifically brilliant ones) to figure things out. Perhaps he wants us to see this view from outer space to make us reflect on his greatness and our dependence on him.
“When I observe your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and stars, which you set in place, what is a human being that you remember him, a son of man that you look after him? You made him little less than God and crowned him with glory and honor . . . Lord, our Lord, how magnificent is your name throughout the earth.” (Psalm 8:3-5, 9 CSB)
I am so glad we have the technology to watch and enjoy the adventures of our brave astronauts. I will certainly never be a space explorer myself. As my daughter remarked as we watched the coverage of the splashdown, “Mom, you’d be so claustrophobic in that capsule you’d be clawing your way out as soon as you heard water.” She’s right, but actually, I’d never have gotten in that tiny thing in the first place!
God, the Sustainer of Life
As we glory in the achievements of our time and enjoy the images and travels of the astronauts, we must always remember, who created it all—and not only that—who sustains it day after day, year after year, century after century. It is God who created this massive, diverse, beautifully kinetic and colorful, ever-changing universe. And it is God who, out of love for us and because of his grace and patience, holds it all together. Why? Because he wishes for all to come to him and is giving us time. Don’t wait too long.
“’To whom will you compare me, or who is my equal?’ asks the Holy One. ‘Look up and see! Who created these?’ He brings out the stars by number; he calls all of them by name. Because of his great power and strength, not one of them is missing.” (Isaiah 40: 25-26 CSB)
I would never get into the small capsule either.
Haha…I have become very claustrophobic as I’ve gotten older. Thanks for reading!