Houston, We Have a Problem

 We are ruined by our own stupidity, though we blame the Lord.

– Proverbs 19:3

NASA’s original plan for the April 1970 Apollo 13 mission was to land on the moon, survey it and develop mankind’s ability to work in the lunar environment. But then came these fateful words from astronaut Jack Swigert: 

Houston… We’ve had a problem here.

That problem was caused by an oxygen tank explosion aboard the spacecraft, which nearly ended the mission in disaster. The crew was forced to return to earth without ever landing on the moon, and they had to improvise a way to conserve onboard electricity while reducing the buildup of deadly gases inside the cabin. More troubling still was that no one could determine if the damaged capsule would withstand the intense heat generated while re-entering the earth’s atmosphere.

Earth-based radar stations tracked Apollo 13’s progress home while NASA stayed in radio contact with the astronauts. But as expected, communications were lost when super-heated plasma built up around the spacecraft. It wasn’t until minutes later that Mission Control heard the astronauts’ voices break through the static. The prayers of millions of around the world were answered that day as Apollo 13 and its crew splashed down safely to earth.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that everyone’s plans — big or small — result in varying degrees of success or failure. And depending on the circumstances, we may feel like we have a handle on the situation … or that the situation has run amok. Maybe you feel like that today — and for good reason. But believe it or not, God is in control.  

This is a fundamental truth that every Christ-follower should embrace. One reason that we don't feel his power is because we can't see the big picture. We don’t know the life-changing people and situations that he’ll introduce to the mix. We also don’t have his vantage point of knowing what’s around the corner and miles up the road. Moreover, it’s hard for us to see a greater purpose in our lives when we're going through the pain of unemployment, lingering illness, family problems or even death. But God is in control. And for those who trust and follow him, he offers this assurance:

"Before I made you in your mother's womb, I chose you,” says our Creator. “Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

Have your best-laid plans led to frustration and depression? Don’t lose hope. God knows what we need — and he knows it long before we ask him for help. And when our plans align with his purpose, success is on the horizon.