Balloons, the Space Shuttle, and Ascension Sunday

Balloons

After our oldest son’s 6th birthday party, our happy boy walked to the car clutching a red helium balloon. His dad remembers him being slightly distracted, as six year-olds are prone to be, and accidentally letting the balloon go. Our son says he asked his dad to hold it, and the balloon escaped only after the successful exchange had been made. Either way, as we all looked up to the sky and watched the balloon float away, the the inevitable tears welled up, followed by wails of grief. As I recall it, our son wasn’t too happy either.

The Space Shuttle

It was one of the most amazing sights, now more than 30 years in the past. The Space Shuttle Program was in its infancy, having successfully completed thirteen orbital missions. After enlisting in the U.S. Navy, I had the good fortune of being assigned to basic training in Orlando, Florida, about 50 miles from the Kennedy Space Center on the Atlantic coast. As is typical of  introduction to military life, we were isolated from the outside world, physically and mentally challenged every day, and instructed to obey every command fully and immediately. As my company neared graduation, we joined the rest of the training command for our morning physical exercise on “the Grinder,” a concrete area adjacent to the barracks which served a variety of purposes including instruction, discipline, and drills. (One hazy memory of that time was the strange and surreal U.S.S. Bluejacket, a full sized mock-up of an old wooden sailing vessel which sat forlornly land-locked on the Grinder, on which we were to learn seamanship, knot-tying, and the like. Due to other assigned tasks, I never set foot on the Bluejacket, and as we all were sleep deprived and physically and emotionally drained, I wonder now if it wasn’t some sort of mirage.)

Naval Training Center Orlando. The Grinder is middle left.

We were well into our morning jog around the Grinder under clear blue skies with scattered clouds, company commanders shouting “encouragement ” to the stragglers, when I noticed an incredible sight – a huge white vapor trail making an arc into the Eastern sky,  topped by the outline of rockets belching fire from their exhaust portals. Following in its trail were at least two NASA chase planes, clearly visible up to and including the NASA logo on their rear stabilizers. It was the Space Shuttle Discovery, making its second deployment. As my fellow shipmates looked to the sky, some shouted and pointed in amazement, others stopped in awe. The company commanders, sensing an opportunity for instruction in discipline, started shouting “Get your heads down! Keep moving! Get your heads down!” Their commands were only half-heartedly obeyed, as each of us continued to take quick looks at the sky, understanding how privileged we were to witness such a sight.

The Ascension of Jesus

Why are you standing there looking at the sky? -Acts 1:11

And there the disciples stood – amazed, scared, confused, with tears welling in their eyes – looking up to the sky. Two men in white garments appeared beside them , telling them to “get their heads down” and attend to their assigned tasks: make disciples, baptize, teach. And so we do, a little scared, feeling inadequate, but knowing that the Master has given us a command and a promise. Get your head out of the clouds and keep moving. “And behold, I am with you always, even until the end of the age.”

The Last Flight

In April 2012, my family witnessed the last flight of Discovery, when it was ferried atop a Boeing 747 over our home on its way to be displayed at the Smithsonian Udvar-Hazy Space Flight Museum in Northern Virginia. If He doesn’t tarry, we may soon look to the sky to see Jesus “return in the same way” as he left the Apostles. Will we be awestruck and amazed, or  wailing in grief? Jesus came in the flesh so that he could pay the penalty for our sins, to cover us with His righteousness. Are you still looking to the sky? Repent. Believe. Tell your friends. Jesus is coming back!