Infinity And Beyond: Exploration
When I was a son with my father, tender and my mother’s favorite, he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments and live. Get wisdom; get insight: do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. – Proverbs 4:3-9
Since my childhood, I’ve been, and still continue to be captivated by history. As a young enthusiast, I delved into information about every U.S. president, successfully persuading my dad to journey to Washington D.C. to explore the significant historical landmarks.
The allure of history lies in immersing myself in the details, envisioning what it felt like to witness pivotal moments.
What emotions ran through people’s minds?
How was it to witness groundbreaking events for the first time?
One era of history that particularly fascinates me is the space race spanning from 1955 to 1975. I often ponder the experience of witnessing the intense competition between Americans and Soviets, with unmanned ships, mammals, and eventually humans venturing beyond Earth’s atmosphere to land on the moon.
I am currently engrossed in Gene Krantz’s autobiography, where he recounts every Gemini and Apollo program he served as a flight director. Krantz vividly portrays the political pressures engineers faced while striving to perfect their machines. The collaboration between engineers and pilots, working together to achieve seemingly impossible feats, and the anticipation surrounding each launch and landing, all contribute to the spirit of exploration. There are so many lessons from Krantz I could preach about, and I’m sure that I will be in the coming months.
(I agree — Creekwood, I believe 2024 is gonna be our finest hour!)
During a recent reassessment of our Core Values, we decided to incorporate “exploration” into our list. Previously, we had “learn,” but we questioned if it truly encapsulated our mission. Learning involves acquiring knowledge or skills, but exploration is about actively seeking something or someone.
In the space race, we weren’t merely accumulating knowledge about space; we were actively pursuing it, striving to explore the unknown. Similarly, in our faith journey at church, we’re not just gaining knowledge about God; we’re actively seeking a deeper connection with God.
Exploring our faith involves delving into what we already know and seeking a richer understanding. We listen to others, understand their experiences with God, and explore new ways to connect with the divine, immersing ourselves in Scripture through music, liturgy, and sermons.
Exploration goes beyond mere learning; it yields profound results.
As we embark on our stewardship campaign, focusing on “Our Whole Self,” I encourage you to reflect on areas where you can delve deeper. Would you like to explore prayer, engage in Bible study, or volunteer with various ministries or missions?
Exploration has fueled some of history’s greatest discoveries.
Imagine the transformative impact it could have on our spiritual lives if we embark on this journey together!
– Keri Lynn Lucas
