In the face of tragedy and the brevity of life exists a poignant reminder that our ultimate focus should be on what truly matters.
By Patrick Morley & The Man in the Mirror Team
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father…So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29,31).
Our hearts and prayers go out to the grieving family, friends, and co-workers of the five individuals that were lost aboard the submersible Titan as it descended to view the wreckage of the Titanic.
It is a reminder, once again, that life is brief and about what matters most. Astronauts Michael Anderson and Rick Husband, who perished on the Space Shuttle Columbia, ensured this message would not be lost.
In Anderson’s preflight video, he said, “Rick and I both feel we were put on this mission for a reason, and we have tried to meet all those challenges with prayer.”
Rick and Michael attended the same church in Houston, where Rick was active in the men’s ministry and led a “Dads in the Gap” small group.
Grace Community Church played a video he recorded before his flight to their congregation.
“Let us not fail to remember that life is brief and make sure we are focused on what matters most.”
“If I ended up at the end of my life having been an astronaut, but having sacrificed my family along the way or living my life in a way that didn’t glorify God, then I would look back on it with great regret….What really meant the most to me was to try and live my life the way God wanted me to and to try and be a good husband to Evelyn and to be a good father to my children.”
Rick wrote to his pastor at the bottom of his ‘in case of tragedy’ documents, “Tell them about Jesus. He means everything to me.”
Let us not fail to seize this reminder that life is brief and, like Rick and Michael, make sure we are focused on what matters most: Jesus. Glorify God. Husband. Father. Mission. Prayer.
Portions of this article were originally published as a part of the series titled “Just A Thought.”
