Ep 52: Lost in Space

Speaker 1: Hey. Good morning. I'm Daniel Dorp, and this is for your Sunday Morning Drive, the short podcast with the goal of putting you in a Colossians three two mindset and providing you motivation, drive, and encouragement on those hectic Sunday mornings. We are brought to you in partnership with the Ministry League Network of Podcasts. Ministry League has a goal of offering free quality resources to the church, as well as some great podcasts. You can check those out through Ministry league.com or you can download their app. I hope you're having a wonderful day so far. We're getting close to our one year anniversary of the podcast, so that's coming up next week. Some exciting times, if you don't mind, when you have a moment, if you could share us with a friend and rate and review the podcast wherever you listen, that would really help us grow. Well, let's go ahead and get the show on the road. This is episode 52, Lost in Space. Let's go to church.

Speaker 2: Are we there yet?

Speaker 1: Back in episode 27, I talked about how two astronauts were stranded in the International Space Station. Well, they're back at home now on our lovely little planet after an eight day mission turned into 280 days, orbiting 250 miles above the Earth's surface. And recently, while I was scrolling through social media, I came across an Instagram reel of astronaut Butch Wilmore talking about how he didn't miss one church service the entire nine months he was in space. Wow. That is some commitment. And while I know that Mr. Wilmore and I wouldn't likely agree on some doctrinal matters for a moment, let's take a step back and look at this example of commitment. The astronauts were recently being interviewed about their time on the ES, and when asked about his commitment to worship, Wilmore said this.

Speaker 3: And it was. It was invigorating. It was. It was part of what I need as a as a believer in Jesus Christ to continue that focus. It assisted me day in and day out because I need. I need that fellowship, even though it's fellowship from afar. And it's not like being fellowship up close, but still, I need it.

Speaker 1: Did you catch that? The last part of that? Because I need that fellowship, even though it's fellowship from afar. And it's not like fellowship up close, but I still need it. First, let me commend astronaut Wilmore for his commitment to worship and the fellowship. But I also want to ask us Christians a sincere question do we have that same level of commitment? I know 2020, in the dark times of the pandemic, many congregations did things differently, just out of necessity. And because of unprecedented times, unprecedented decisions faced elderships across the globe. How do we handle fellowship and worship? Well, that worked itself out in many ways, and I think some good came out of it. But I also think during that time, the devil was able to sow a great lie. That fellowship from afar is just as good as fellowship up close. And friends, it's just not. Where are you at in 2025? Of course, illness and events beyond your control aside, do we have the honesty of an astronaut to be able to say that worship and fellowship just isn't the same from afar? Hebrews 1024 through 25 says, let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering. For he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more, as you see the day drawing near. Friends, we need our brethren to be around them and with them, not just to see them, because we can't stimulate each other to love and good works if we aren't fellowshipping with one another.

Speaker 1: And you know, it's one thing to be there among your brethren, encouraging, uplifting, and worshiping with them. It's a very different thing to be a cold and distant spectator. And I know that five years later, it probably feels like we've beaten this topic to death. But if that's the case, then why haven't some come home yet? And if you're listening this morning, please know that you are missed, that your brethren need you and you need them. Because if an astronaut 250 miles above the Earth's surface can yearn for the day when he can be with his brethren in person and admit that it's just not the same, then, friend, let me encourage you that you can drive across town and make it happen. Let's not make excuses rooted in comfort and convenience, but let's be encouraged by our brethren and truly seek to stir each other up to those good things in Christ. Because ultimately, if we're willingly missing an opportunity to gather together to give God the glory and the praise that he's due, then whether it's ten minutes away or 250 miles above the earth, if we make a choice to be a spectator, we might as well be lost in space. Well, those are my thoughts for your Sunday morning drive. Now it's time to hear yours. Our discussion questions for this week are. Have you come back to worship with your brethren? If not, why? Those of us that have. Have we reached out and encouraged those who have not returned? And what can we do to truly encourage each other to love and good works?