A Life of Awe and Wonder!

A few months ago, I had the opportunity to see and hear William Shatner promoting his new book on MSNBC's Morning Joe. The book, Boldly Go: Reflections on a Life of Awe and Wonder, was written from the perspective of looking back on a life of some remarkable achievements which had spanned ninety-one years! Now, I have always loved to listen to the musings and wisdom of my elders, but I was especially intrigued by the things that Shatner was saying in that interview about being connected to the "vibrating" universe of which we are all a part. Later, when I was telling Darlene about how moved I had been by that interview, I told her that I would have to read that book. Of course, being the kind and thoughtful person that she is, I didn't have to worry about that - she gifted me a copy of the book a few weeks later!

Shatner had achieved fame and legendary status as a consequence of his portrayal of Captain James T. Kirk on both the Star Trek television series and the series of movies which followed many years later. More recently, he had been in the headlines as a consequence of his brief venture into space aboard Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin capsule. I had always loved both the series and the movies and was intrigued by what Shatner would have to say about the experience after having portrayed a space traveler for so many years. Hence, I had watched the live telecast on television and had witnessed Shatner emerge from the capsule after its return to earth. To my surprise, he seemed visibly shaken and emotional - even humbled by the experience. Needless to say, I wanted to hear more about the overwhelming sadness and grief which he had experienced in space!

Although I was already on the hook, the opening to his new book immediately caught my attention and ensured that I would finish the book. He wrote: "Knowledge feeds me. It's as necessary to my existence as oxygen. It thrills me." I knew exactly what he meant. He continued: "I get a tingle down my spine when I'm presented with an opportunity to learn something new, a daily occurrence for me, even at ninety-one years old. Open your eyes, your ears, your mind, and you'll quickly be overcome by the wonder that surrounds us. I am never so thrilled as when the word 'wow' escapes my mouth." Yes, we have to open our eyes, ears, and minds to learning and to experiencing the wonder which surrounds us! I was immediately reminded of that passage in Scripture: "He who hath ears to hear, let him hear!" In other words, God (Nature/Universe, if you prefer) has given us the equipment, but we have to use it!

Too many of us have decided that we have figured it all out - that we have learned THE TRUTH. We assume a defensive position - we must protect what we have learned! Unfortunately, this has the very real effect of completely arresting the learning process. Instead of growing in grace and knowledge, we find ourselves busily rejecting anything that doesn't fit the conclusions we have reached about things! When this happens, we are no longer on the offensive - actively pursuing evidence and answers to our questions, and the consequence is stagnation and/or retreat into the dark reaches of prejudice and ignorance.

Previously, I had always thought of William Shatner as being somewhat of an egocentric individual - even narcissistic on occasion. This book, however, was a revelation to me. Here was a William Shatner who was humble, searching for his place in the universe, trying to connect with the people around him and the world of which he was a part. Who would have thought that I had something to learn from him? But I clearly had learned something from him! How many times do we quietly say to ourselves, "I have NOTHING to learn from that person"? How many of us get up and turn off the television or switch the channel when Jane Fonda, Nancy Pelosi, Sean Hannity, or George Will is discoursing on some topic? Scripture tells us that there is safety in a "MULTITUDE" of counselors. Do we really believe that?

Likewise, do we really believe that one book contains all there is to know (or all we need to know) about God, our origins, our purpose(s), or the world around us? Didn't the Apostle Paul say that God is even accessible to people who aren't Jews or Christians through the evidence provided by the world around them? Almost two thousand years ago, Paul wrote to the saints at Rome that God's invisible qualities (his power and nature) could be understood by observing the things which He had created. In other words, we can learn about God separate and apart from Scripture! Once again, when we limit ourselves, we cut ourselves off from growth and greater understanding!

The same humility, awe and wonder which I observed in William Shatner was also evident in King David of Israel. In one of the Psalms attributed to him, we read "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visited him?" Unlike Bill Shatner, David never had the opportunity to "slip the surly bonds of earth," but he was still thinking about those things! Moreover, like Shatner, he was busily setting those thoughts to music (the psalms are beautiful as poetry, but they were originally intended to be sung).

Now, William Shatner is a non-practicing Jew - he doesn't really believe in the Judeo-Christian conception of God; but he tapped into some deep spiritual truths during the course of his long life on this planet. He wrote: "No one knows quite how or why, but every so often, whether it's through prayer or contemplation, meditation or awareness, or even just the suggestive power of our imaginations, sometimes we tap into something. A rhythm, a vibration, a perfect moment where it all comes together." I hope that resonates with you in the same way that it resonated with me!

So, Christians have spiritual things to learn from actors, scientists, philosophers, atheists, the local grocer and garbage collector? YES! Are you aware of the other life forms that share this planet with us? Are you aware of the voices of the trees and the whales? Are you using the senses and brains which God or Nature has given you to explore and learn? In short, are you living a life of awe and wonder?