Wednesday; January 28

        Forty years ago, our nation – and much of the world – walked around in a daze.  On January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger disintegrated shortly after launch from the east coast of Florida.  While the event would have made history wherever and whenever it happened, it was close enough to witnesses and the cameras that it was seen by countless people.  For those of us who were alive back then, it is a moment many of us can never unsee – and for those of us who grew up with the space race and those who have a connection to the Space Coast, it is still a very vivid memory.

          As I reflect on Challenger disaster, one of the things I think about is how shocking it was.  Sure, we knew that something so powerful and complex could go wrong; but we had become so used to the successes and tuned out the potential for failure that the shock was multiplied!  Eventually, we would get to the tough questions like “how could this have happened” or “why did this happen”; but for a period of time, we were just sad and confused.

          When we live life, it is easy to take success for granted.  We expect that everything is going to be okay.  Yet, when we really think about the complexities of life, it isn’t surprising when things go sideways!  Life is challenging and that means that difficulties are going to happen.  No, this doesn’t mean that we should fear the future, but it should remind us there will be times of trials.  When these happen, let’s make sure we seek out comfort, even if we can’t find the answers.  By leaning on the Lord and relying on those who are closest to us, we might be able to work through even the most challenging of disasters.

        Think About It!

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