I am a big fan of the galaxy. I love the stars, the nebulas and everything in between. It’s funny to think about it, but even though we know it’s there, how many times do we really look up and notice this huge atmospheric wonder in the sky? I am guessing, very rarely. And as a lover of the skies and beyond, I too put my hand up for that one.
When I think of the universe I think of stars and nebulas, comets and black holes. I also think of the extension of the universe, and then freak myself out with the fact that I cannot even begin to comprehend just how huge the universe really is, or where it begins or ends.
I used to do this so much as a kid. I would keep myself up at night panicking because I couldn’t work out eternity or how far the universe really goes. It still, to this day, blows my mind profusely just how big it all really is.
To the moon and… beyond!
Space research seems to constantly be making great strides with their research into what lies beyond.
Besides non-human missions, such as The Cassini–Huygens mission, sent into space to take photos of beyond what we can reach (for now), NASA is constantly pushing themselves to find new ways of getting further than what they have, or even dreamed of and we are blessed to be able to have a glimpse into the great unknown through the images they capture.
I am sure you remember NASA's Apollo 11 mission in July of 1969. Such a momentous occasion in human history! When man made it to the moon, Neil Armstrong famously said: ‘That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.’ He was a part of one of the most historical and greatest moments in the history of mankind. However, this giant leap for mankind arrived through a series of many small steps.
Be proud of the small steps
“Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the LORD that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?” Zechariah chapter 4 verse 10.
I’m sure at the beginning of space exploration, something like landing on the moon may have seemed like an impossibility.
I am pretty proud of myself when I finish an assignment for Uni that has taken “12,000 years” to complete. But in saying that, I know I can do better. I know that with each step and improvement along the way, those assignments are going to get better. As I hone my research skills and understanding of how best to deliver the criteria requirements, these small assignments (that feel like mountains) will lead me to knowledge that I can use to accomplish greater things than just a long assignment.
Though painful, these small roads should be something we are proud of. No one builds a house without small nails. After all, they all lead up to a bigger, further accomplishment in the end.
What’s holding us back?
Sometimes it’s easy to overwhelm ourselves with these little things though, such as assignments, being on time, or what to make for dinner. We trap ourselves within enormity. It is hard to go further than what we already know.
Freaking ourselves out by thinking of the hugeness of our goals and dreams, but never stopping to consider how great it would be to accomplish those things, can sometimes stop us from reaching them. When we allow fear to take control, we hold ourselves back from the multitude of possibilities that God has for us and knows we can achieve. We complicate God’s goal for us when we refuse to take part in what he has planned for us.
However, God wants so much more for us. He wants us to find more and go further. Just like a space mission, we need to gain the mindset of ‘going beyond what we thought we could’.
As we are aiming for greater things, we need to look to something greater than our problems. We must tell our problems that our God is greater than it all.
Go further
Remember when you were in school, and your teacher would go from term to term, subject to subject, teaching you things you never knew about before? This is what God does. He gave us the universe and says now go further than what you know, aim higher than what you thought, and go deeper than you knew you could.
I know God is proud of us whatever we do, or whenever we reach a new level in our lives; whether it is getting a new job, getting married, graduating High School or University, but I also know that God doesn’t just want us to stop there.
If he can create a universe that no one on earth has even figured out the size of, this is a pretty good indicator that He wants us to go further. We have got to push ourselves, find new things, develop ourselves and define ourselves to be greater than what we already are.
But as much as God wants us to do this, it is up to us to reach out for it and believe we can do it.
Achieving the greater things
What blows my mind the most is the God who created all of these things; eternity, the stars, the universe. If I find these things huge, imagine how big our creator is! Nothing can compare.
Are you going to allow the moon to be your final destination? Or are you going to reach the stars… and beyond? Don’t trap yourself within the overwhelming enormity of possibility. Take a step, no matter how small, just take one. You may just be surprised at what you can accomplish walking in the path God has for you.
That's one small step for man, one giant leap for GOD.
‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’ Romans chapter 8, verse 28.
Cartia Moore is a connoisseur of fine chocolate and a sword fighter, trained and skilled in the art of fencing. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Screen & Media Studies, and minoring in Drama and Creative Writing. Her focus is film, television and swordfighting sequences.
Cartia Moore’s previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/cartia-moore.html