So, we have put a man on our tiny moon, a virtual speck of dust in the vast universe beyond it. In the half-century that has followed very little more space exploration has been done despite the great expectations in the sixties. Some would argue that we have enough problems on Earth to occupy our scientists and inventors without spending countless billions on travelling to other planets beyond the moon. But still the desire to conquer great challenges drives us on to further space adventures.
I am concerned about a degree of escapism in all this celebrating the moon landings. The World Health Organisation has just announced a global health emergency in Africa due to the re-emergence of deadly Ebola. Still today, too many millions of children go to sleep hungry at night, while millions more flee violence and persecution.
Putting a man on the moon has not changed much really. What can change mankind radically is a personal relationship with the One who made the moon, and the Solar System in the first place. When we begin to make Jesus Lord, and let him change the way we live each day, forgive and radically overhaul our behaviour, that may be a small step, but it will turn out to be a giant leap too.
