This year marks 55 years since man first stepped on the moon.
On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first man to set foot on the moon. After spending eight days in space, all three astronauts in the Apollo 11 mission returned safely to Earth after completing the only known manned moon landing in history at the time*.
The excitement of space travel has captivated the known world for millennia. Being able to leave this planet and go to places unknown has the great allure of exploring undiscovered territory. Hollywood has made millions of dollars off of the concept of space, space travel and extraterrestrial life.
Why does leaving this planet excite us so much as human beings? Shouldn’t we be happy here on this planet? How do we as Adventist Christians answer this question today?
The idea of leaving this world behind — or turning from the world — is a biblical concept and because of this, I believe the answer to the above question is twofold.
First, yes we can find happiness on this planet, and God does call us to find joy in life here. While we are here there are many things we can find great joy in: new life, change of seasons, the beauty of nature, the joys of family and many more.
Second, however, we are not to get too comfortable here as this is not the end or the final destination for devoted Christians.
The biblical authors, John and Paul, talk about how Jesus calls us to not be conformed to this world.
1 John 2:15–17 says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world — the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life — is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
John tells us that true followers of Jesus will leave the things of this world behind, as these are fleeting and not eternal. Rather, true followers of Jesus are to do the will of God which lasts forever and in whose presence we desire to dwell forever. The promise is given again and again in scripture that for those who follow Jesus, there is a reward that is out of this world!
Paul writes in Rom. 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Paul says do not imitate or follow the ways of this world, because just as John said, these things come from pride and not from God. Rather, we are to be altered, changed and remolded into the likeness of God. This only occurs with intentional time spent in developing a living relationship with God. When we get to know Him, He promises to make us more like Him and less like the world.
While we live on this planet, we will be involved in the everyday realities of life here. We are not called to bury our heads in the sand. But we are not to become like this world; we are to stay separated and unique. We are to be transformed by God living in us, to become more like Him than the earth.
Someday soon, those who follow God will be taken to be with Him forever in a perfect world. What an amazing, exciting, first-ever space travel experience that will be!
As one reader observes: While Apollo 11 was the first manned landing on the moon, it was not the only one. In fact, there were six successful moon landings in total, with 12 men who walked on the lunar surface.
