Feeling Stranded

When we are experiencing rejection or even loneliness, perhaps in a state in which answers are hard to come by, we can know that God has not forgotten us and that we are not alone, as long as we know Jesus and rely on His indwelling presence. We can find this reassuring passage from Isaiah 43:
1 But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.
3 For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior...

Butch Wilmore is an American astronaut who was essentially stranded in space with fellow astronaut Suni Williams.  As FoxNews.com explains it:

Wilmore spent nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS) with fellow astronaut Suni Williams, beginning in June 2024. The pair were stuck there for over 280 days, though they initially planned to be there for only eight days.

After landing at the ISS, the astronauts' Boeing Starliner spacecraft encountered technical issues, which led NASA to decide it was unsafe to return the astronauts to Earth. The Biden administration was blamed by critics for leaving the astronauts stranded, and Williams and Wilmore returned to Earth on the SpaceX Dragon capsule on March 18.

The Fox article featured comments from Wilmore at a press conference following their return to earth. In fact, he was asked about his faith.  Here's the interchange:

"I heard that you were still attending your church services from space. Can you tell me a bit about why that was important for you to do?" the journalist asked.

"Well, goodness, the Word of God … I need it," the astronaut began. "My pastors are the finest pastors on or off, in this case, the planet."

"And to tie in and to worship with my church family was vital," Wilmore added. "I mean, it's part of what makes me go."

Wilmore also shouted out a Tennessee church, saying he would watch their services while aboard the ISS.

The article continued, stating:

Wilmore described the weekly services as "invigorating" and emphasized how important Christian fellowship is to him.

"Part of what I need, as a believer in Jesus Christ, to continue that focus – a system, day in and day out, because I need that fellowship, even though it's fellowship from afar," Wilmore explained.

He added, "And it's not like being fellowship up close, but still I need it."

Baptist Press related that Wilmore, "the elder at Providence Baptist Church in Pasadena, Texas...watched live-streamed services and even took part in a Bible Institute class last semester, his pastor, Tommy Dahn, told a Houston Fox TV affiliate."

It went on to say:

The experience has given Wilmore the opportunity to speak openly about his faith, both since his return and while he was aboard the ISS.

“It’s bound in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is working out His plan and His purposes for His glory throughout all of humanity, and how that plays into our lives is significant and important, and however that plays out, I am content because I understand that,” he said.

When life feels uncertain - and I would imagine that being stranded in space would certainly qualify - we can rely on the certainly of the presence of God.  When we feel out of control, we know who is in control, and He is the One who will keep us grounded. 

Now, most of us are not going to be stranded in space.  But, there may be circumstances in life in which we find ourselves rejected or alone, not quite knowing what the future might bring. Butch Wilmore said, according to Baptist Press, at one point as the calamity progressed, “… I don’t know that we can come back to Earth at that point...I don’t know if we can. And matter of fact, I’m thinking we probably can’t.” There are going to be the "can't'"s in our lives from time to time - but we can be convinced that God can, and that He is working for our good and His glory.  We can find comfort in the presence of the Holy Spirit, even when we feel stranded.