Chasing a Comet

It's been on just about every news program this week.  An unheard-of accomplishment by the Europeans in the field of space travel.  I am writing this from memory so all the statistics are subject to correction, but I think I got most of it right.

Those working on this project have been busily involved since the early part of the century, and about ten years ago, a rocket carried an unmanned spacecraft into outer space on a very unique journey and mission.  That mission involved the hopes of successfully landing the small space ship onto a comet.

My first bit of suspicion came when I remembered that comets travel at a tremendous speed, and how could this little space ship ever travel fast enough to catch up with it?  That was soon answered for me with the news account of the space vessel orbiting around the earth for a while, then navigating itself out of earth's grasp in a "sling-shot" maneuver , which increased its speed tremendously.  In fact, I believe the news reports stated there were several of those sling shot tricks used throughout the mission.

The landing this week raised the hopes of all who are interested in space travel.  Things were done with the craft that have never been done before.  Just to make it interesting, the spacecraft was equipped with microphones so transmissions could be made to earth to hear what a comet sounds like.

I was so wrapped up in the news about riding a comet, I recalled the times I have watched events of the space shuttle, and from the ground have actually seen the shuttle and the space station as they orbited the earth.  All of those things are beyond comparison when it comes to the imagination of those who are interested in space. 

My interest in the European venture faded somewhat when the news announced the purpose of their mission.  They were hoping, by riding on a comet, they could come up with more information about the way our universe was formed. That question was settled for me long ago when I was taught and then accepted the truth of Genesis 1.  Not only that, I have read a couple of Lee Strobel's books on how a journalist in his early life worked hard by using science to explain away biblical truth, then came to realize the longer he studied the subject, there was more reality when studying the bible to prove scientific reality.

Reading those books and studying (and understanding) the things which science deals with can be a slow process, involving lots of study and examination, while coming up with a variety of theories.  Landing a small spacecraft on a comet traveling at 41,000 MPH is a great accomplishment and I applaud them for that accomplishment.  Learning our origin is best understood in believing and trusting in God to share the truth of the matter with us. 

Here is your weekend challenge.  Read Genesis 1, and even chapters 2 and 3.  Read with an open mind and heart.  Even if you have read it before, read it again.  Learn about God's power and his plan.  It's truthful, and a lot less expensive than chasing comets through the universe!

<ronbwriting@gmail.com>