I can barely remember 1957, but I remember the stir caused when the Russians put their satellite called “Sputnik” in space.
The tiny satellite frightened America and all of the free world. Communism, as led by the Russians, was outpacing us in space exploration. President Eisenhower immediately called for stronger teaching of math and science in American schools.
Shortly after the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy, the Russians sent Yuri Gagarin into space orbit. It was April 12, 1961.
Not long after, President Kennedy declared that we would send a man to the moon. He inspired America when he said that we would accomplish his vision before the end of the decade. He said: “We choose to because it is hard.” We, of course, placed Neil Armstrong on the moon before the end of the decade. We had overtaken the Russians in the space race.
Yuri Gagarin may never have said the most famous words attributed to him. The Russians widely reported that Gagarin said: “I don’t see any god up here.”
Nakita Krushchev, the Russian premier, in his Anti-religion Campaign certainly said that “Gagarin flew into space, but didn’t see any god there.” The words are laughable now but they were frightening and defiant then.
This is what makes the words laughable. Gagarin stayed in space a very short period of time, making one orbit of the earth. He saw a thimblefull of space compared to what we know now. Fifty years later, we are not sure how many planets are in our solar system. We can’t even determine the number of moons around the planets.
Krushchev’s words show the folly of human wisdom. Paul stated the obvious when he chided the Corinthians for their emphasis on wisdom: “For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength” (1 Corinthians 1:25).
God is not weak, of course, and Paul did not mean that He is either weak or foolish. He simply meant that the greatest wisdom of man does not compare with the “foolishness” of God. The greatest strength of human beings cannot measure up to the “weakness” of God.
Then, why do we deify our minds? Why do we question God and His wisdom and goodness? Why do we think that we are wiser than God?
It really is laughable–and sad.
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3 Responses
Dr. Landrum Leavell,II from the pulpit of First Baptist Church New Orleans, St. Charles Ave., proclaimed, “I don’t know if there are other beings in the universe, but I know that if their are, He is their God too.” In another sermon Dr. Leavell proclaimed what God has accomplished with him was accomplished through someone with “simply average intelligence.” One has to give credit to someone who understands building upon a legacy and applies social engineering. The quest for the rest of us mortals, is to understand how to apply the Wisdom of God in our circumstance.
I appreciate your ability to put applications to the Principles God declared to His creation to know True Life to have Life abundantly. The paradigm of the Body envisions the maximization of God’s Purpose for His creation being realized. A glimpse to the application of His Wisdom without parallel since the family of Noah built the ark. It is a group effort that only begins with “Salvation” of an individual. We catch a glimpse now and then. May we not let the animal competitiveness overcome the gentleman of the Holy Spirit when we see God at work. May we invoke His Wisdom seeking how our group fits into the larger Body of groups. Such is the stuff of the Cooperative program and the ministries of FBCC. Will it be sustained beyond the binding mortal leadership to fulfill the intended potential? Since God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of Power and Love and a sound mind, why are we not further along; unless it is we have not fully received God’s Gift?
Keep pressing! Thanks.
Spunik brought a change in my life. I was teaching Home Economics at Chalmette High School with a minor in chemistry. The principal asked that I take the 8 hours of physics required to teach chemistry which I did that following summer. The following three summers I took math and chemistry courses to meet certification requirements in math, biology and physical sciences in addition to chemistry. . I then taught those courses during the rest of my teaching career in high schools. When Shawn , the youngest, was a senior in high school I entered William Carey nursing school at SBH in New Orleans and was able to finish in a year because all I lacked was nursing courses and 6 hours of Bible. Three years later, I entered LSU Graduate School of Nursing while teaching at WM Carey. My masters degree was in adult medical /surgical nursing with a clinical major in oncology and functional area of education. I worked as the Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist at SBH for about 10 years until I retired. Had it not been for Sputnik, I probably would have retired after Royce finished his his training and time in the Air Force. God used that event to put me into a different career and I have been thankful for my training as a nurse many times. What a full life I have had.
Take time to enjoy God’s beautiful classroom outside. How can anyone not feel His presence outside today?
Geri
I look forward to your Post each day. Take time to smell the roses and enjoy God’s beautiful classroom
Spunik brought a change in my life. I was teaching Home Economics at Chalmette High School with a minor in chemistry. The principal asked that I take the 8 hours of physics required to teach chemistry which I did that following summer. The following three summers I took math and chemistry courses to meet certification requirements in math, biology and physical sciences in addition to chemistry. . I then taught those courses during the rest of my teaching career in high schools. When Shawn , the youngest, was a senior in high school I entered William Carey nursing school at SBH in New Orleans and was able to finish in a year because all I lacked was nursing courses and 6 hours of Bible. Three years later, I entered LSU Graduate School of Nursing while teaching at WM Carey. My masters degree was in adult medical /surgical nursing with a clinical major in oncology and functional area of education. I worked as the Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist at SBH for about 10 years until I retired. Had it not been for Sputnik, I probably would have retired after Royce finished his his training and time in the Air Force. God used that event to put me into a different career and I have been thankful for my training as a nurse many times. What a full life I have had.
Take time to enjoy God’s beautiful classroom outside. How can anyone not feel His presence outside today?
I look forward to your Post each day. Take time to smell the roses.
Geri