Tuesday, July 26, 2005

We Return to Orbit

As an engineer I took great pleasure in watching the shuttle launch this morning. It was actually an emotional moment for me as I considered the amount of work and expertise that goes in to pulling this off. Huge numbers of people designing each little item on the shuttle, testing those components, making plans and putting all the components together, designing the flight and procedures for contingencies, etc. Not to mention the sheer power and spectacle on display!

As a Christian I must go carefully here. We can take joy in great accomplishments, yet we must remain humble. Going to space is still dangerous, and we've only been to the moon. Yes, I say only and think it very appropriate in comparison with the vastness of the universe. We spend countless raw materials and man hours to launch a vehicle into orbit around our planet. God spoke the universe into existence.

Thus says the LORD:
"Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool;
what is the house that you would build for me,
and what is the place of my rest?
All these things my hand has made,
and so all these things came to be,
declares the LORD.
But this is the one to whom I will look:
he who is humble and contrite in spirit
and trembles at my word.
-Isaiah 66:1-2

As an engineer, I can take delight in my work and must humble myself before God, the ultimate engineer.