January 27th, 2008
In the midst of life as we live it, I believe it is important to recognize the irregular, as some might say, achievements which we make as humans. This particular achievement strikes me as being especially noteworthy because of my faith, and my interest in things scientific. Yes, Virginia. The two actually CAN co-exist quite comfortably.
This week, the Messenger spacecraft sent back to Earth pictures of the planet mercury, the planet in our solar system closest to the Sun. Because of the exceptionally slow rotation of the planet, the Messenger fly-by was able to capture virtually all of one-half of the planet in its lens. A second fly-by, scheduled for October, 2008, will–again due to the slow rotation of the planet–offer the opportunity to see virtually all of the OTHER half of Mercury.
Larger than our moon, the pictures received by both the JPL and APL labs show a planet which, upon first blush, does in fact resemble the surface of our moon. One of the amazing realities of this mission is that the stable orbit established by Messenger was within1.4 kilometers of the target attitude, programmed long ago by the mission specialists, long before lift-off, in August of 2004. The completed path of the flight, which will return in October to get “the rest of the story”, has already been programmed into the Messenger craft. In fact, it was programmed years ago.
This mission has had virtually no problems whatsoever, and has performed nominally since lift-off.
Can you share with me, for just a moment, the absolute magical brilliance of such a mission? To see, for the first time, a previously unseen planet with such clarity boggles my mind. We need to celebrate the unfailing dedication of the entire Messenger team, and the thriving excellence of the human mind to even conceive of such a dream.
It does remind me that we do have within ourselves at least the potential to realize whatever we might dare to dream. This fly-by offers to humans a view of Mercury that has never before been. This is nothing less than a view of creation, which has never before been seen by mankind. Only God Himself could either confirm or deny the accuracy of the pictures we now have available to all mankind of the small planet which serves, to a very large degree, as the anchor of all other planets in our solar system. We have been afforded a view of our own Heavens which are not of our natural human perspective. That’s pretty amazing.
To some observers, this reality will serve to further prove the uselessness of God. For some in Science, the drive and purpose of such endeavors is not only for the furtherance of our own information, knowledge, and application. Some would use such technological innovations to disprove the necessity for God, if not the reality of God. This is, to me, the sin of Science. I understand that the rebellion in Heaven began when a created beign, Lucifer, thought himself superior to God, and attempted to raise himself to a level equal to, or superior to God.
To others, however, this amazing new reality does not eliminate God, nor the need for God. To see mercury for the first time will bring a deeper appreciation and respect for the Creator of the Universe. This miniscule slice of “God’s View” will deepen faith, increase our Praise and Worship, and yet once again add incontrovertible proof that the Creation, as depicted in the first book of the Bible, happened precisely as reported. As we continue to, through Science, learn how some parts of God’s Creation work or exist, we have much more respect, love, and admiration for the God who loves us so much that He prepared an entire Universe for us, His Beloved.
Both mindsets do exist within the Scientific community. As Chemists, Geologists, and Astronomers scurry to and fro in this new achievement, the battle continues to rage.
For me, the fact that my eyes can see a planet with such clarity does not make it less amazing, but rather more so. To know that mankind can achieve such a benchmark success throught the gifts of science and technology gives me an appreciation of, and pride in, our species. I have a deeper respect, admiration, and love for the God, the Creator whom I call “Dad“. We continue to expand our volume of knowledge about the world (and the Universe) in which we live.
With this kind of technological and scientific brilliance at our disposal, I get momentary hope. Mankind voted, at some point, to determine this mission was of sufficient priority, purpose, and importance (for whatever reasons) that it has been accomplished. They will sustain the mission, including a future year-long orbit of Mercury. They will utilize all available resources until it is complete. Yay, us!
Could such rabid strength of purpose be applied to other endeavors as well, I have no doubt we could celebrate success in those endeavors as well. It seems that money, funding, personnel, and technology have no limits for those things which we determine to be the most important to us. I believe, personally, that is why we have been allowed these microscopic views into the workings of God. Scientific advancement has always been given for the purposes of helping mankind. You know–us, the belly button kids.
How much better, more appropriate, and beneficial could such knowledge be if we determined it imperative. And, with so many fewer billions of dollars expended, we could so dramatically enhance our own existence.
Global warming could be nothing more than a man-made mid-course correction, where we determined within ourselves to honor the admonition of God, who gave us not only dominion over, but stewardship responsibilities of the earth, and all within it. We cannot do the work of repair and restoration that God, through nature, could do. But, it seems to me that perhaps He might be just a bit more willing to pay attention, and even lend a hand–if He really believed it was important to us to respect the work of His hands in the first place.
With a single-minded determination, even the limited scope of the scientific and technological communities of the USA could not only send manufactured metal and plastic to the inner edges of our solar system. Perhaps we could end poverty and homelessness right here within our own borders. For less than the cost of one day’s operation on the Messenger’s mission, we could insure healthcare and early childhood education throught the “Headstart” program for all of America’s children. Every citizen could have the healthcare and education we need for the promises of the “American Dream”. Who knows, if that were a reality, perhaps we might even feel less ambivalent about immigration.
Every American could have a home. Every American could enjoy nutritious meals, educational opportunities, and supportive healthcare focused on prevention instead of treatment.
Perhaps, with just a portion of the funds that have been spent creating this amazing technological miracle, we could eliminate hunger around the globe. Should we, together, decide it to be important enough, we could solve this problem–not by shipments of food, but by the teaching of agricultural science and techniques to those developing countries who are experiencing thousands of deaths every day, simply because there is a lack of any food at all to feed their children. Could not such determination also bring forth a cure for AIDS? Could we not determine for ourselves that peace among all men was the more important and worthy choice? The world around us does not believe our intent, and has chosen to call us to task for our arrogance, ego, and hypocrisy.
We talk Peace, but we do not live Peace in such a way as to not only convince the world of our commitment to it, but to show it as the best choice for all mankind. What could you add to this list? What dreams could you envision, or empower?
As important as the Messenger mission must surely be, perhaps we could come together with an equal determination, an decide to protect the American Dream for every citizen. We could determine for ourselves to re-create an America that the world would honor, not despise. In humble and honorable advancement of our own achievements, we could share with the entire world the benefits of that Grace which God has continued to bestow upon us from the storehouses of His Blessings in Heaven. Perhaps, we would even recall our relationship to Him, and consider that to be our best, first important goal.
Even as it may be too fantastic to imagine, just as taking photographs of Mercury must surely once have been, perhaps we could determine for ourselves to once and for all time eliminate Cancer from the Earth. Which decision would be cheaper? Which would be more beneficial for Dad’s kids? Which would He more likely endorse, support, encourage, and help?
As it was in Heaven, before the foundation of the world was laid, free agency matters. We have been created with the ability to determine for ourselves our own course. God did not create Satan; Lucifer did.
The Son of Light chose to elevate himself and his own position higher than the very throne of his own Creator. The pot thought himself superior to the Potter. He fell. We did not create God. God created each of us, and in that creation embued within each of us the right of self-determination.
We have shown our ability to transcend our own limits. The miracle of today is every bit worthy of appreciation. But it is not worthy of worship. No act of man is, or ever will be. But, I do think we could make determined choices that could be much more worthy of our appreciation and praise for our fellow man. If only we would choose to use that which we have been given to more appropriately reflect our Creator, and His Creation.
Those would be choices I would find much more interesting.
Interesting Choice.
In His Care,
Budroe
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