The world is in a wild state these days. It is so easy to get caught up in the noise, the conflict, the threats, the shear strangeness of some of the human interactions, both real and computer generated that fill the air these days. The regular diet is all-consuming and ramps up the level of general anxiety in our culture. How are you doing with all that? How do you stay grounded, restore perspective, stay in touch with your true humanity? Well, take a look at this picture.
Ironically, for me the Artemus II expedition has been grounding. There is nothing quite like seeing this home planet from the other side of the moon to put the current, minute by minute wildness in perspective. In a tiny capsule hurling through space, earth sets behind the horizon of the moon and communication with your planet home goes dark until you reach the other side of the moon. Then earth rises again in the distance. What a perspective! We really are a tiny beautiful blue ball of life suspended in the universe, and that gorgeous pearl is the only home we have. The earth is singular, and small, and deeply, soulfully home to each one of us, but more poignantly, home to us as one.
Somehow, we need to stay grounded, maintain perspective, and find a way forward and it will need to be together. I don’t know how, which is why faith is so important. God’s love will find a way. I believe it with my whole heart. God is the Waymaker after all.
So gather again on Sunday, sink into the songs led by the Spirit Singers, and let yourself be grounded in the presence and perspective of the Waymaker.
Blessings, Will
PS. Here is the quote from Artemus II Pilot Victor Glover that I shared last Sunday.
“As we continue to unlock the mysteries of the cosmos, I would like to remind you of one of the most important mysteries there on Earth — and that's love. Christ said, in response to what was the greatest command, that it was to love God with all that you are. And he also, being a great teacher, said this: 'I give you equal to it, and that is to love your neighbor as yourself.' And so, as we prepare to go out of radio communication, we're still able to feel your love from Earth and to all of you down there on Earth, and around the Earth, we love you from the moon.”