The year was 1969. I was three years old and not really concerned with what was going on around me, except where was my blanket and binky was. While I wasn’t really aware of it then, the summer of 69 was a world changing season.
At the time when my world was mostly about trying to decide if I liked green beans, others were concerned with some of the following events which happened that year.
The Charles Manson Murders took place. Woodstock and the Hippies were in full swing.
The Vietnam War was raging. The Beatles played together for the last time. Richard Nixon was sworn in as president. Yassar Arafat became president of the PLO.
Golda Mier became the Israeli Prime Minister. Sesame Street came on the TV, and I found new friends. Sirhan Sirhan was convicted of the assignation of Robert Kennedy.
There was one more major event that happened that year. Yes I got potty trained…..well, for the most part.
Actually this year marks the 40th anniversary of a very major event - mans first landing on the moon!
ONE SMALL STEP FOR MAN
On July 16th, 1969 at 13:32 EDT, a three man crew with each one having two missions under their belt, soared with wings of eagles past the shackles of gravity to another place. It just happens that the lunar module was actually named Eagle.
In past confessions of this highly-caffeinated Christian, I have admitted that The Brewer does not like heights. I get a nose bleed when I put on my ropers and when I think about what these guys went through to leave our atmosphere, it blows my mind. With the computer technology of a modern wrist watch these three astronauts went so far and so high. I can’t help but raise my coffee cup to them.
Neil Armstrong was the Commander; Buzz Aldrin was the Lunar Module Pilot, and Michael Collins commanded the module. On July 20th, the Lunar Module piloted by Aldrin started its descent from Columbia. At 8:17 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time, same as Greenwich Mean Time), placed its lunar legs on the surface of the moon. Neil Armstrong said “Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed”. And with those eight words being spoken, a new era of space exploration began. It is interesting to note that the number eight in the Bible stands for “New Beginnings”.
A little known fact about Buzz Aldrin is that he was a Christian. Approximately two and a half hours after the moon walk, he broadcasted to Houston that he would like to take the opportunity to ask everyone who was listening to contemplate the event which just happened and give thanks in their on way. He then took communion, there on the moon, and gave God thanks. This communion kit is in the possession of the Webster Presbyterian Church in Webster, Texas where Aldrin was an elder.
ONE GIANT LEAP OF FAITH
Two thousand years ago, there was a man who left His footprints in the dust of planet earth. Instead of leaving the earth to the heavens, He left Heaven for earth. His impact upon this world is felt today in the four corners of the world.
There are millions who walk in his footprints. As Buzz Aldrin had communion in the heavens, this man had communion with his band of believers on this earth. As surely as Apollo 11 made history 40 years ago, this man made history 2000 years ago.
Man has vowed to return to the moon. This man that I’m talking about, has vowed He will also return and sooner than you think. His name is Jesus. His mission was devine. His goal was accomplished, and his vow to return will be fulfilled.
We may not be able to walk in the footprints of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, but we can certainly walk in the footprints of Jesus. He has already cleared the minefields of life for all of us. All we need do is step where He steps….one step at a time.
