Dedication To Excellence

What We Can Learn From The Space Shuttle Disaster

By Rev Albert Kang

The news of the space shuttle disaster came as a shock to me and has for this moment taken top priority over the news about the impending war against Iraq, terrorist threats and the difficult relationship between Singapore and Malaysia. As I glued my eyes to CNN’s reports and video of the space shuttle Columbia breaking up, I uttered a prayer for these astronauts and their families. Pastor Sande told me that he actually wept when he watched this tragic news. There are thousands who die every day but why are we feeling so sad for these seven people who perished in intense heat? I believe the reason is because these astronauts represent the aspiration and hope of every person on this earth. God has given us limitless curiosity and amazing ability to go beyond our earth and seek out the wonders of outer space. NASA has echoed the human insatiable quest in a slogan: “Improve life here; extend life to there; find life beyond” (http://www.nasa.gov/).

Among these seven astronauts were two dedicated men whose lives reflected the glory of the Lord. They were Columbia Commander Colonel Rick Husband and Payload Commander Lt. Colonel Michael Anderson. They were members of Grace Community Church in Houston, Texas and one of their pastors, the Reverend Steve O’ Donohoe has nothing but good words for both of them. According to a phone interview with Crosswalk.com, he described Husband as “probably the godliest man I’ve ever met.”

According to Pastor O’ Donohoe, Husband and his family have been very involved in the church for almost eight years. Husband sang solos and also in the church choir. He had this to say about his singing, “And then, especially with some of the songs that we sing in church, just being able to sing a song to tell God how much I love Him, it just feels great. It really does. And I think it's probably almost as good as exercising.” Husband was also active in the men’s ministry and both he and his wife, Evelyn, were involved in the children’s church.

Pastor O’ Donohoe described Anderson as a good Christian and that “Mike and Sandy Anderson were kind of quiet”. During an interview conducted by NASA, Anderson said, “You know, those people you really just can't thank enough. And as you look back at your life, there are just a million different things that have happened, just in the right way, to allow you to make your dreams come true. And you know, someone has all that under control.”

When asked how the pastors would reply to those who ask why this tragedy happened, Pastor O’ Donohoe said, “Whenever I've lost a loved one or done a funeral for someone - perhaps a child - people always ask why. In this case, yes, it is going to be sad. For the Husbands and Andersons, they've lost their father and their husband. But I know these ladies are strong Christians and their children know the Lord also. They know that their Daddies and their husbands are in heaven. Tragic as all this is, that's just comfort that we have. We have that comfort in knowing that we, too, will be there one day.” He added, “I know this much. I know that Rick and Mike are in heaven. I'm just sad because they are not with me. But we'll be together again someday. I know that it would have been better for us for Rick and Mike to live, but they're with Jesus now, and that's better for them.”

What can we learn from these men? The first thing that comes to my mind is that whatever careers we are in, we should put God first in our lives. We must never take life for granted. We do not how long we will live and when we will die. I notice that out of the seven astronauts, six of them were younger than me. Only Colonel Ilan Ramon, the Israelis astronaut was older than me by a couple of months. His birthday was in June 1954 and if I am not wrong, Pastor Wilson was born in the same month and year.

Let me emphasize that we have only one life and whatever we want to do for the kingdom of God, we should do it now. We cannot live in the past and neither can we live in the future. The only time we have is now and tomorrow may never come. While we have the opportunity, we should serve the Lord and fulfill the task that He has given us. I am reminded of what the Apostle Paul said, “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace” (Acts 20:24).

I know very well the temptation of moving away from God’s intended purposes. In my veins flows the entrepreneurial blood of my Chinese ancestors. I take to business like a duck takes to water. I have seen the results of my business effort. The profit that flowed in was very tempting. The challenges were just as exuberating. However, the call of God for my life was not to be a businessman.

I remember those three nights back in 1982 when I struggled against the call of God for me to go into pastoral ministry. My high income had become an obstacle and it would be difficult for me to leave my lucrative sales career. Three nights I prayed, pleaded and even knocked my head in rapid kowtow, hoping that God would change His mind. It was to no avail and finally I submitted. That Sunday, an Australian lady who attended my church asked whether I was in trouble on a particular morning at 3 AM. God had woken her up to pray for me. That was shocking because it coincided with the day and time when I finally surrendered myself.

Having received that prophetic confirmation. I resigned immediately from my sales position that very Monday. Today, it is true that many of my former sales colleagues have become very rich but I do not envy them. To me, I know that being a pastor and preacher is what God wants me to be. Doing anything otherwise would be wrong for me. Nothing is worse than succeeding in something that God has never assigned me to do.

Another thing that crosses my mind about the tragedy is that these astronauts were all successful people in their own rights. They had worked hard and were ranked among the best in their field. If my life were to end today, can you and I say that we have done our best? Once again, I like to quote the Apostle Paul who said in 1 Corinthians 7:7, “Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.”

During World War I, a famous singer, Enrico Caruso was invited to sing for the soldiers at the battlefront. The person who invited him said, “Of course, Mr. Caruso, as this is a charity affair, we would not expect you to do your best. Your name will draw the crowd. I would suggest that you merely sing some songs requiring little strength or skill.”

Caruso was greatly offended by that and he declared in no uncertain term, “Caruso never does less than his best.” I am impressed by Caruso’s dedication to excellence. That is what we should do for the kingdom of God.

Success is not being rich or famous but being obedient to the Lord and fulfilling the His assignment to the best of your ability. If you are an usher then you should be the very best usher that you can be. If you are a worship leader you should do likewise. This is not done in competition with other people. The only person you need to compete with is yourself. You push yourself to the best of all the abilities that God has blessed you. Whatever you do for the kingdom of God, you should give your very best. Let’s make every effort to become the person that God wants us to be and make a difference with our lives. V