The moon landing memories that were a frequent theme in media stream surrounding the 40th anniversary of the moon landing revived interest and discussion about returning to space. The discussion appears grand and glorious. Frequent references are made to the human quest for adventure and exploration of the heavens.
The quest for adventure and exploration of the heavens does seem to be an innate part of human nature, but as I listened to the arguments for the return to space, it seems though the desire might be valid, the timing is off. The inappropriate timing of our expectations, demands, and dreams can cause us no end of frustration and mistakes. I thought about this when these stories about returning to the moon brought to mind a little poem I've kept for over forty years. It is a poem that has often reminded me of our glorious future when death will be no more and the planets our playground. Let me share it and then what that has to do with the timing of dreams....Here is the poem, copied from a very tattered, stained and torn piece of paper.
COMING OF AGE
One day I will
walk around the sun,
and turn and touch
Orion's belt
with more than hands:
I will survey
the splendors of Andromeda,
understanding
all I see;
then Alpha Centauri
will beckon me,
and I will
surely go.
For the hand
that builds
in light years
has rested,
torn and bloody,
upon me.
by Diane Bradley **
For those who know Jesus as savior, the exploration of the heavens isn't an experience reserved only for those with the right stuff. The heavens are our eternal backyard, our future playground of exploration and delight. The problem isn't if we'll go back there or if we should. We will.
The problem is timing. We want it now.
Many sins are problems of timing. Moses wanted water now; he slammed the rock with his staff instead of obeying God's command to speak to it and after forty years of faithful service was denied entry into the promised land. Saul performed sacrifices forbidden for him to do because he didn't want to wait for Samuel and his right to be king was forfeited. Jonah wanted to see Nineveh judged. It would be, but not on Jonah's schedule. His complaints with God's timing caused him bitterness and misery; he robbed himself of the joy he could have experienced as a tool of God's mercy.
Satan's temptations of Jesus were in great measure ones of timing. Feed yourself now. See if God will rescue you from death now. Have all the nations of earth bow down to you now.
Jesus did not give into the temptations of time. God did rescue him from death; he will feast at the marriage supper of the Lamb; every knee will bow to him. On His timing; not Satan's.
We don't have to give in to the temptations of time. Hebrews 11 is, in great measure, a chapter about people who denied themselves now because their eyes were focused on the realities of eternity.
We cannot hold two visions in our hearts. If we focus on the here and now; we easily forget the reality of eternity.
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An application for our communications: perhaps when we write, we need to remind people that a "no" in earthly dreams may mean a "just not yet" in heaven's time. Perhaps we need to temper our final, temporal words because we cannot see as far as our gracious God.
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note on poem: Please forgive me if I have improperly quoted this. I have tried for years to find the author and secure some sort of formal permission, so if you know the person, or who I can contact, please let me know at yvonprehn@aol.com. It is on a very tattered scrap of paper.
