"First, I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth."
Sound familiar? If you're a history or space guru I would imagine you have those words memorized.
That's right.
John F. Kennedy.
The day was May 25, 1961. Our country was charged with the task of beating the Soviets in the space race of putting a man on the moon. The command from the president was unambiguous and yet absolutely ridiculous at the same time.
It would take billions of dollars, thousands of people, and technology that hadn't been invented yet.
9 years.
That's all the time they had been given.
Seemingly impossible.
July 21, 1969.
Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin make history.
"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." -Neil Armstrong
America won!
*all the space buffs cheer again (even though they could recite the story in their sleep)*
There's something thrilling about space work. It somehow manages to fascinate people world-over.
But you know…there's another command yet to be fulfilled.
The Commander of Chiefs has spoken…unambiguously.
"Success in any line demands a definite aim. He who would achieve true success in life must keep steadily in view the aim worthy of his endeavor. Such an aim is set before the youth of today. The heaven-appointed purpose of giving the gospel to the world in this generation is the noblest that can appeal to any human being." Education 262
Notice the deadline is set. "…in this generation"
Seemingly impossible.
So why aren't we busting at the seams with enthusiasm over this command like our space friends are over conquering the moon?
Simple.
It's not history.
It's because our parents have read this quote, and their parents have read this quote, and their parents have read this quote…
And now we read it and say, "Uh huh…blah blah blah. It sounds so good, but really? C'mon, give us something more within our scope of capability."
Ok, put a man on the moon.
"Poor parallel. That's already been done. Scientists have proved it."
Yes, but think how they must have felt before they proved it.
JFK had no clue how to put a man on the moon any more than a fish can understand what it's like to be a bird.
Realize though that our Commander and Chief knows how to accomplish His command.
It has to do with one word: Education.
(p.s. we'll we get around to eucharisteo…that's coming a little later)
Love the deadline! What a amazing work for us!
ReplyDelete9 years huh? Uncharted territory huh? That kinda thing requires true leaders.
ReplyDeleteLove that parallel Aubrey. The more I think about it the more excited I get:)
I'm listening. :)
ReplyDeleteSo inspiring Aubrey! Interestingly enough, I've been feeling strongly convicted about this lately--in fact, I just wrote a blog using the same quote! I feel like there is a growing wave of young people who sense that the time is ripe for revival, who hear the distant strains of a trumpet giving a certain sound--and who are beginning to respond.
ReplyDelete"To every household and every school, to every parent, teacher, and child upon whom has shone the light of the gospel, comes at this crisis the question put to Esther the queen at that momentous crisis in Israel's history, "Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"
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ReplyDelete@Alyssa: true leaders - true teachers:) Hmm...
ReplyDelete@Joel: Yes. It's growing. It's coming. That's exciting. Thanks for sharing the quote. We are called for this. We were born for this. Loose that focus and we loose it all.