Mars

 We landed a thing on Mars last night. Part of me marvels that we are so brilliant as to be able to make objects which can do that, and part of me despairs that we are spending gazillions and expending so much effort on space exploration when we can't seem to solve even the most basic problems here on Earth.

People are looking for life on Mars. I'm pretty sure they aren't going to find it. But doubtless some things they do discover and the technology they have used to get there will at some point prove useful here on earth.  I spent all yesterday just thinking 'What's the point?'    



Then last night I decided to ask God. 😁

A few thoughts came to mind. 

1) God made the human mind limitlessly creative and undeniably questing. We are truly made in His image so we are destined to invent, explore, discover and work.

2) When we no longer believe or trust that what God has said in the Bible is true, we become masters of our own destinies. Which is terrifying and leads us to be constantly looking for man made solutions to man made problems and an escape route for when we mess it all up.

3) Gifted people have to use their gifts. For centuries people with genius minds used them for the glory of God. A day is coming when the church will once again have all the best artists, writers, engineers, architects, inventors, poets, composers and doctors. We are called to be a blessing on the earth. Which doesn't just mean running food banks and toddler groups. It means ending hunger and wars, stopping climate change and curing disease

(aside: I wonder how many Christians have been involved in the development of the Covid vaccine?)

None of this is terribly coherent or profound. I guess I just feel unsettled by the news of the Perseverance up on Mars - but probably people throughout the ages have felt troubled by newfangled inventions which have seemed irrelevant, extravagant. even sinful.  Maybe the Amish have got a point.  Maybe the monks of yesterdays blog are living the perfect life.  Maybe.... maybe.... maybe.

Maybe tomorrow I'll be a bit more..... focused ? 😁

PS. Just as I was about to sign off I found this scripture which seems apposite


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