Houston, We Have a Problem

The Apollo 13 ill-fated mission to the moon in April 1970, was the occasion for those historic, but understated words, “Houston, we have a problem.” Three astronauts, Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert and Fred Haise, were on their way to the moon when they heard a massive explosion on board their Command Module. It was an oxygen tank that had exploded and blew a large part of the one side of their spacecraft to smithereens. They instantly realised they were in trouble.

Oxygen was spewing out of the other damaged tank, which meant their air supply and their electricity supply, which was dependent on oxygen, was totally compromised. There they were, 200,000 miles from home on a stricken spacecraft, running out of air and water and electricity, and not a clue what they were going to do. So you see why I said, “Houston, we have a problem.” was such an understated response to a life threatening situation.

Astronauts have an exceptional ability to stay cool under pressure.  But what was a potential tragedy for those three men and their families turned out in the end to be a triumph. Right away, the astronauts and Huston understood the moon landing mission was over. Instead it became the greatest rescue mission of all time. Getting these three men back to earth in a dead and dying spacecraft, would demand a supreme effort from them and the N.A.S.A. ground control teams at Houston.  After what became an incredible team effort of skill, bravery and intelligence, they touched down on the South Pacific Ocean on the afternoon of 17Th April 1970. In 1995 Hollywood made a movie about it, starring Tom Hanks. 

Human beings have an amazing ability to overcome the greatest adversities in life. For a few days in April 1970, the world held its collective breath, until those three brave men made it back to earth.  God has endowed men and women with incredible qualities. We are born with innate abilities, which give us the strength to overcome the greatest obstacles and odds. So far as I know none of those men, either the astronauts or those at ground control, were believers in Christ. (Although, I’m sure many of them prayed for wisdom and courage)

Calvin, the famous theologian, called these very human qualities that all men possess, ‘common grace.’  Believer in Christ, above and beyond these ‘common graces’ that all men possess, God has given you spiritual graces and gifts, uniquely suited to your personality and temperament. Galatians 6:22-25, 1Cor. 12:1-11, Eph.4:7-12, Romans 12:6-8 

You have more within you to overcome those obstacles and odds that you are facing than perhaps you ever realised. 

2 Co.2:14 “But thanks be unto God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ.”

Actually, for those of you who are space buffs, the words were spoken by Jack Swigert, not James Lovell, as the movie Apollo 13 with Tom Hanks portrayed. Furthermore, the words were actually, “Houston, we’ve had a problem.” Not surprisingly, it’s the movie version which is remembered more.

- Pastor David Goudy