Wednesday, November 4, 2020

My Lesson From Deep Space

As odd as it may seem, I occasionally see God's lessons for me in science fiction!
In this instance Star Trek's Deep Space 9.
I am a Star Trek fan, a Star Wars fan!  Not all science fiction, but I enjoy those series and most everything connected.
I had started rewatching Deep Space 9...and in the very first episode "The Emissary"....that I have seen before, I had a light bulb moment.
Commander Benjamin Sisco had been "taken" by a new entity, a new life form never before interacted with.
They were trying to understand (through Sisco and his memories and experiences) what a "linear existence" was.
There is a dialog in the episode when Sisco explains that we, as humans, live in a particular point in time and once we move past that point we can no longer go back.  And that what we do in this particular momemnt in time affects all our other future moments.

It got me thinking; how often do we not move on from a moment in time, which in turn doesn't allow us to move forward, to experience all that "tomorrow" has because we can't let go of yesterday?

IF the disciples hadn't let go of the horror and tragedy of the death and burial of Jesus, then they would have missed out on the amazingness of His resurrection.
Just as the Angel reminded and told the women...
📖 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:  ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his words. Luke 24:6-8

Thomas was about to miss it....when he refused to believe....for a whole week he was living in the past instead of the "here and now"...the others were saying HE LIVES, but Thomas doubted....
📖 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”  But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” John 20:24-25

Jesus was gracious enough to give Thomas what he needed....
📖 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe. Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:26-29

How long do we sit in doubt and fear, unwilling to let go of hurt, tragedy, a painful event or period in our life, only focusing on that....living in THAT moment of the past.  We can not move ahead to what God has for us if we do that.
We miss the blessings of the here and now.  Yes that moment, that tragedy may have changed how our days moving forward may look and feel, BUT GOD has got every one of your days, every one of my days....and He DOES have blessings for you in the days AHEAD!
📖  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  Jeremiah 29:1-12

Sisco was "existing" in the moment that his wife died.  He couldn't move from that point on his linear time line....this new entity told him that his existence wasn't actually linear....because he was not moving forward.

We must move forward, toward God. We can not dwell in the moments of our past...we can acknowledge it, learn from it, forgive; others and ourselves and move forward.
Psalm 23 does not say...."Yeah though I live, linger, wallow in the valley of the shadow of death..."
is says "though I WALK THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death THOU ART WITH ME!
we step forward,  walk, move, through this life.....leaving the dark things behind.  because HE is with us!
📖  Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.  Psalm 23:4

You may be in the dark time right now...right smack in the middle of it...but keep moving ...one step at a time ...and you will get through it...to the other side...to the "light at the end of the tunnel"!

📖  I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.  John 16:33

📖   Lord bless you
    and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.”’  Numbers 6:24-26

🎵 The Blessing



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