BEYOND US...
"Off we go, into the wild blue yonder..."
That's the first line of the Air Force song. I have sung it endless times. Every time, I get choked up. For those of us who are children of AF pilots, it represents more than a pep rally song. Those words reminded us that our dads (at the time, only dads) were doing something brave and important...and doing it "out there," or "beyond us." The sky in which they flew those jets was endless, their accomplishments heroic and limitless. Without conscious awareness, we were part of something much bigger than ourselves.
Forty six years ago today, Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon. Remember those pictures? Remember how proud we were to beat the Soviets to the moon, especially after they had beaten us to "manned spaceflight?" But there was something profound about that wasn't there? It took our eyes off ourselves somehow. It forced us to "look up" and remember that our petty squabbles and self-interested quibbling (whining?) was a bit shameful. Probably the most well-read Christian book in the last 15 years started its first chapter with the four words, "It's not about you." I'm not sure the rest of the book was even necessary.
The Christian faith and its followers are being persecuted in unprecedented ways, at least in my lifetime. And it is not getting better. As disciples of Jesus, "the only name given under heaven whereby we can be saved," our response cannot be fear nor anger. Our focus on Him must be more fervent and sacrificial than ever before. Our focus must be on things that are "true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report." The battle is not with flesh and blood, but against the powers of darkness. Remember, that includes Satan from without and sinfulness from within.
Look up! Look up! Even as we fight to the death this fight for the Gospel of Jesus; in the Middle East, in Charleston, in Chattanooga, in our families and our churches, our salvation is from on high.
Scott
"Off we go, into the wild blue yonder..."
That's the first line of the Air Force song. I have sung it endless times. Every time, I get choked up. For those of us who are children of AF pilots, it represents more than a pep rally song. Those words reminded us that our dads (at the time, only dads) were doing something brave and important...and doing it "out there," or "beyond us." The sky in which they flew those jets was endless, their accomplishments heroic and limitless. Without conscious awareness, we were part of something much bigger than ourselves.
Forty six years ago today, Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon. Remember those pictures? Remember how proud we were to beat the Soviets to the moon, especially after they had beaten us to "manned spaceflight?" But there was something profound about that wasn't there? It took our eyes off ourselves somehow. It forced us to "look up" and remember that our petty squabbles and self-interested quibbling (whining?) was a bit shameful. Probably the most well-read Christian book in the last 15 years started its first chapter with the four words, "It's not about you." I'm not sure the rest of the book was even necessary.
The Christian faith and its followers are being persecuted in unprecedented ways, at least in my lifetime. And it is not getting better. As disciples of Jesus, "the only name given under heaven whereby we can be saved," our response cannot be fear nor anger. Our focus on Him must be more fervent and sacrificial than ever before. Our focus must be on things that are "true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report." The battle is not with flesh and blood, but against the powers of darkness. Remember, that includes Satan from without and sinfulness from within.
Look up! Look up! Even as we fight to the death this fight for the Gospel of Jesus; in the Middle East, in Charleston, in Chattanooga, in our families and our churches, our salvation is from on high.
Scott
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