Viewer Ahead

E

ven though we arrived early to get a good seat, my best friend David and I still had to wait in line before entering the movie theater. It seemed everyone else had also determined to arrive early and get a good seat.  The end result was an extremely long line and very short tempers.

For months, television commercials, bill boards, and newspaper advertisements had been touting the latest arrival from Paramount pictures.  Clips from the movie, aired over all the television stations, showed just enough of the film to guarantee a record turnout at the box office.  David and I were among those bursting at the seams to see the film and we finally got our chance.

We bought our tickets, entered the theater, and found good seats.  Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the room grew dark and the large screen came to life with previews of other films and advertisements for refreshments in the lobby.  The suspense was killing me!  At last, the feature presentation began and I sat back in my seat, hands gripping the arm rest of my chair, eyes straining to see the first signs that the movie had started.

The theme music began and the movie started.  The title flashed across the screen, “Start Trek, The Motion Picture!”  That’s right, I’m a Trekkie!  Not a hard core fan but I like the show, especially the original series and cast.  All my favorites were here, Spock, Bones, Sulu, Chekov, Uhura, and of course, Captain James T. Kirk. 

One of my favorite scenes is the Enterprise leaving space dock and Earth’s orbit.  The familiar theme music plays along with the signature view of the sunrise behind the spaceship as it orbits the planet.  The order is given to leave Earth’s orbit and Mr. Sulu sets his course accordingly.

As the Enterprise pulls rapidly away from Earth, Kirk makes the following request: “Reverse angle on the view.”  The Enterprise’s screen shows the Earth as it rapidly disappears.  The crew is leaving home and everything they know behind them.  The planet grows ever smaller until it is out of sight.  Kirk then orders, “Viewer ahead!”  Sulu throws a lever and the view changes from what was behind to what lies ahead.  What you see on the screen is empty space but the Enterprise’s mission lies in that space not back on Earth.

The call of Abraham bears a striking resemblance to the scene described just above.  No, I’m not suggesting that God’s call to Abraham is the same as Capt. Kirk commanding the Enterprise. However, God’s command to Abraham bears all the hallmarks of Kirk’s orders as the Enterprise leaves Earth’s orbit.  Let’s take a look at what God told Abraham to do.

We find God’s orders in Genesis 12:1, “The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.” Notice the two distinct orders in this one passage of scripture.  First, Abraham was to pack up and leave everything he knew behind him.  This included his family, his friends, his job, and his home, everything he knew and loved.  Can’t you just see him as he sets out, not knowing where he is going?  As he makes his way around the final bend, he glances back over his shoulder.  He wants to see the reverse angle on the view.  Abraham watches as everything known to him grows ever smaller until it disappears from sight.

But the best part is yet to come!  As Abraham’s home disappears from view, he turns his face forward, staring into empty dessert, knowing his mission and God’s call lie before him.  At that point, God orders Abraham to turn his eyes toward Him and to never look back.  God essentially says, “Viewer ahead!”  This is the second part of God’s order.

You see, all of God’s promises lay ahead of Abraham, not behind him.  Everything God had in store for him was out in front of Abraham.  The Promised Land was there, Isaac was there, God’s covenant, and a deeper relationship with God than Abraham had ever imagined, all these were waiting out there, “where no man had gone before!”  How’s that for a prelude to all that Star Trek would become?  It doesn’t even compare does it?

T

he same is true for us today. God has not called us to look back to what used to be.  He has called us to move forward with Him.  God has so many plans for us, He has so many things He wants to share with us, but we can’t enjoy any of them as long as we keep the reverse angle on our viewer!  God wants us to completely trust Him and to place all our faith in Him.  He has called us not to what was but to what will be.  To enjoy all of God’s blessings we must be constantly moving and looking forward.  Are you following God’s order, “Viewer ahead” today?