A world forever changed

    The Civil War changed many things in the country. It led to the freedom of more than 4 million enslaved Americans. A more powerful centralized federal government was established. The Northern economy vastly developed its industrial production and expanded its railroads.  But more importantly the Civil War changed Lincoln too. He went from ambivalent, pragmatic, even conflicted on the issue of slavery saying "I am a little uneasy about the abolishment of slavery in this District, not but I would be glad to see it abolished, but as to the time and manner of doing it." March 24, 1862  

We see President Lincoln's opinion change definitively a year later in  pronouncing slavery as a an evil to be eradicated, "You dislike the emancipation proclamation; and, perhaps, would have it retracted. You say it is unconstitutional -- I think differently." August 26, 1863 

Everything changed.

I am sure for those few astronauts who have launched into space the stars have forever changed in their sight. Those small twinkling points of light will never be the same. The planet they had tread upon just before their flight, now took on a glorious, new wonder from their lofty perch. I suppose all things take on fresh meaning when seen from a bigger view. When I decided to give Jesus my heart back in 1975, it was like being launched into a different orbit. Instead of circling Planet Bill, my new mission put me on a trajectory around Planet Jesus. 

Everything changed!

As a child in school, when I held a world globe for the first time, I was fascinated by all the weirdly shaped continents and the strange sounding countries. Now, as a believer, I instead see a world filled with people who need to know the Savior who loves them and died for their sins. 

Everything changed.

A few days ago, the world experienced a lunar eclipse and the moon turned red. Before I was born again, those heavenly wonders were seen by me as only just normal, regularly occurring astronomical events. Now, from my new perspective, that eclipse also stirred thoughts of prophetic signs concerning Jesus and His Return. 

Everything changed.

Before I became a Christian, the celebration of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter had been just days to over-eat, open presents, and enjoy guilt free chocolate. But now, from my new, expanded view around Planet Jesus, my heart is consumed with thoughts of His Provision, His Humility, His Love and His Sacrifice. 

Everything changed.

Some NASA space missions send astronauts into orbit, and after a few orbits they return to earth. Other spacecraft are sent into the firmament to orbit strange, new worlds, never to return to the world they left behind. My desire is to stay in orbit around my Savior. I choose to stay in His orbit, forever. I was launched into the gravitational pull of His embrace those many years ago...And Everything Changed!