LightGrams
February 25, 2021
Volume 25, Number 8
Hayley Arceneaux is someone you may be hearing about in the months to come. The 29-year-old physician’s assistant is employed at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Ironically she was also a patient there when she was a child; today she is among the growing ranks of cancer survivors.
Late this year (if all goes according to plan) Hayley will be one of four individuals to board a SpaceX flight for a multi-day orbit around earth. None of the four will be astronauts, though the commander of the flight has extensive experience flying jets. It will be an awesome experience for each of these.
How much will it cost this PA from Memphis? Nothing. She has been awarded this flight to highlight the overall aim of the mission, to raise at least $200 million for St. Jude. Hayley will become an ambassador for St. Jude as she enjoys the amazing trip. She commented: “Cancer made me who I am today; I have such a joy and zest for life. … I also enjoy showing people that you no longer have to be physically perfect to go to space, and I hope this inspires others.” What a trip this young woman will enjoy!
Paul wrote about a trip he was given in which he “was caught up to the third heaven” (2 Corinthians 12:2). For the ancients this would be above the first heaven (the sky in which birds fly) and the second one (in which the sun and stars are located). Paul was taken to heaven! He “was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter” (2 Corinthians 12:4).
Hayley Arceneaux will be living a dream she never thought possible. In our case, could we ever hope to be lifted up to “the third heaven” to see and hear those things Paul personally witnessed and heard?
In another place Paul said, Yes, Christians can expect to live such a dream. In telling about the day Christ returns to take His people home he wrote, “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
Hayley will only be in orbit for a few days. We’re not sure how long Paul was in Paradise, but he eventually had to come back down to earth. For children of God, however, our out-of-this-world trip will be “always” – forever!
So what’s the price for this trip? In one sense it’s free; “… the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Jesus has already paid the price for our trip. But we do have responsibilities to keep: “… Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). Can you believe this offer open to all of us?!
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2021, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
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