"Beam Me Up, Scotty"

The old cult classic, Star Trek, began every episode with, "Space - - - - the Final Frontier. These are the voyages of the starship, Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange, new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before." The show was a series of the adventures of a captain, his crew, and a space ship as they discovered new worlds and new life forms, different from those of their own. Interestingly, their goal was to seek out, discover, and understand.

I recently entered a different world, finding myself amongst a vast group of aliens who dressed different, talked different, and definitely had more energy than I. I found myself in a concert of young artist playing to younger people, in a world of loud noise, jumping screaming youth, flashing lights, and music so loud I still heard it the next day. I may of belonged to a similar world way back when, although quite different from this one, never the less, this world was not of my own.

I wondered, is this what happens to us, walking amongst worlds not of our own, shutting the doors of our minds, separating us from them. We become so accustom to the theology, language, customs, philosophies, and ways of our world, we wall out others from different planets, or we so strive to be a part of a world not ours we shut out our own. We look at those younger and old than ourselves and see them as different. Or we experience others from a different religious denomination, political party, world view, and we treat them like foreigners from another planet. And I suppose worse yet, we don’t identify with our own world and spend a life time trying to be in another. So often our claims to relate are in reality attempts to force conformity.

I’ve often observed those who lack a teachable spirit, seeking just to tell others how to live life, not hearing the wisdom that lies behind their eyes, in their experiences, regardless of age, color, religion, etc. It appears to me that for one reason or another, whether that is age, circumstance, prejudice of family and culture of origin, etc, we pull the corners of our existence around us and our groups, and claim our own little world and identity. Our resistance to live in the worlds of others brings forth conflict and us and them, right and wrong, thinking. We forget, or lose, our ability to walk amongst the many worlds that live in our one big universe.

Jesus gave us examples of walking in worlds that are not ours, and when to shake the sand off our shoes when necessary, and only when necessary. Jesus showed us what true and authentic love meant, including listening, hearing, and most of all, loving. At times we love in peace, and others in conflict, but always in love. He showed us that we can live in the worlds of others, in our world, with God, all at the same time. He showed us how to speak the truth and not respond in arrogance and superiority when others couldn’t hear it.

I challenge you, my reader and friend, to explore the worlds you have deemed below you. Explore the worlds you need to shake the sand from your feet. Explore the worlds that are ripe for the love and care you are ready, yet afraid, to offer. Explore how your shutting off of the worlds of others is isolating you from doing the great work of our Gods’ great commission. Yeah, I know, much of others worlds are pretty yucky, and to them, I bet much of our worlds are pretty yucky as well. Today, pray that God will guide through the worlds of others, help you to understand your fears and prejudice, and give you the strength to serve who He desires you to serve. So, explore the worlds around you, touch the lives in them, and “live long and prosper”.

(The writings in this post are random thoughts and observations and are NEVER intended as professional or personal advice. Take what works and leave the rest. For information on mental health and/or substance abuse help, visit http://www.rodneyvalandra.com and refer to the links page.)