Still fresh in the minds of many is the fateful day of February 1, 2003, when space shuttle Columbia broke up over Texas upon its reentry after a 16-day tour in space. All 7 of the crewmembers were lost. The world looked helplessly on as the tragedy occurred, and our hearts mourned for the lot ones. We sincerely honor the bravery of the select people who serve as astronauts - men and women who place their very lives in the line for what they do. In the Christian view, however, we must pause to reflect in a comparative way upon what is happening.
Mankind is at once investing billions to conquer space and look in on other worlds, as it were, while we have yet to conquer the ills and problems of our own planet earth. This world is full of needs, most of them very basic such as food, health, education, employment, social justice, family well-being and peace of mind. Mankind still struggles with a lack of understanding, intolerance and greed. The quest to find a consistent level of brotherly love for our fellow man continues unabated, and still we have little peace. There is so much yet to conquer right her: hunger, disease, pain, ignorance, crime, war, terrorism, domestic abuse, violence, intolerance, pride and the utter arrogance of the human heart.
It is clear that the priority of greatest need in this world is not to conquere outer space, but to complete the work the Savior has entrusted to s. Only as we do this will we see God's purpose fulfilled by the return of His Son, Jesus Christ. Only through his return will we see a true end of the horrors that are a part of daily human existence in these latter days. Before He left form the earth, Jesus said: "I have finished the work which you gave me to do" (John 17:$ NKJV). Then, a little later, while He yet hung on the cross, He exclaimed: "It is finished" (John 19:30 KJV). But before He was taken up to heaven, He gave His last instructions to His followers, saying: "Go into all the world and preach the good news."
More important than the conquest of outer space, and even more important than understanding the system of our universe and the wonders of other worlds, is the conquest of the hearts and minds of our fellow beings. The winning of our fellow human beings for Christ and capturing their hearts for the Kingdom of Heaven is not just a high priority on a list of other things. It is in fact the very reason for our existence in this world. It is why our Lord planted us on this earth.