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I just caught a report of the launch of SpaceX to the space station today. One of the four astronauts was interviewed. I can’t find his name, but will tell you when I do.
The astronaut was asked what if anything he was afraid of. Remember how dangerous it is to sit atop all that fuel and then soar into space where any one of a thousand things could go wrong.
That astronaut said, “I have trained hard. I just want to do everything I can to fulfill my training.”
What an answer! He didn’t ask for safety, for survival, or to overcome his fear. He wanted only to be able to fulfill his responsibilities as a crew member.


Psalm 119 comes to mind. 1 Happy are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the Lord.
2 Happy are those who keep his decrees,
who seek him with their whole heart,
3 who also do no wrong,
but walk in his ways.
4 You have commanded your precepts
to be kept diligently.
5 O that my ways may be steadfast
in keeping your statutes!
6 Then I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart,
when I learn your righteous ordinances.
8 I will observe your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me.


The Psalmist says he will find joy in following God’s law. “Happy are those who keep his decrees, who seek him with their whole heart.” He does not say, “Happy is the successful one,” or “Happy is the one who comes through unscathed,” or “Happy is the one who makes it to end successful. None of things are important to him.


Instead he wants to be faithful to God.


Once the disciples were concerned that Jesus didn’t seem to be taking care of himself. They noticed that he had not eaten anything. This is what we read in John’s gospel, “31 Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, “Rabbi, eat something.” 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” 33 So the disciples said to one another, “Surely no one has brought him something to eat?” 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work.”(John, chapter four). So essential to Jesus was doing God’s will that he compared it to food. God’s will was all in all to Jesus. It directed his life.
What is our guiding star as we live today?


Let us pray Lord, make it our one and only concern to please you. Purify our intention and help us to find delight in your word and will. We ask it in Jesus’ name. Amen.