Just Ordinary

By MARCIA DUNN, AP Aerospace Writer
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – “Space shuttle Atlantis and its crew returned to Earth on Wednesday, wrapping up a 5 million-mile journey highlighted by the successful delivery of a new European lab to the international space station.The shuttle and its seven astronauts landed at 9:07 a.m. at NASA’s spaceport at Kennedy Space Center, where the crew’s families and top space program managers gathered to welcome them home.”

Did you watch this particular piece of history? I think more and more it becomes less and less noticed. If you were alive and old enough to understand, do you remember John Glenn and his near first assault on space? How about Neil Armstrong? Wow! Almost everybody was paying attention. Now, by and large, it’s just routine. Who has time?

Is “Church” becoming like that? We used to see the majesty and glory, God’s presence was palpable in the gathered believers as “worship” ascended to His throne. Now, if one attends, it’s often boring and inane, or it’s just another entertainment venue with big bands and a life coach. It may be that we are less and less able to see the “glory” of Heavenly things, the awesome power of His Spirit moving among us because something has changed. It’s either us or Him.

It’s probably going to take a mission to Mars (or somewhere), or another space disaster to capture our attention and get us once again excited about space exploration. I wonder what it is going to take to return the power and wonder, the enthusiasm and amazement, to “Church.”