DEVOTIONAL

Overview Effect

"I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."

Psalm 121:1-2

In 1968 Apollo 8, with astronauts Frank Borman, James Lovell, and William Anders, set out to orbit the moon and return to Earth. It was the first manned spacecraft to ever left Earth’s orbit. 

When the spacecraft rounded the outside of the moon for the first time and the windows pointed for the first time back toward Earth, the crew took the very first photo of the entire planet, hanging in the void of space. Reflecting later on that unplanned photograph, James Lovell commented:

“When we originally went to the moon, our total focus was on the moon, looking back at the Earth was an afterthought, but once we did it I was struck with the sense that it might be the most important reason we went.”

Since then, hundreds of astronauts from countries around the world have traveled to space. At first, they reported anecdotally the impact that seeing the Earth from space had on them. It was calming, awe-inspiring, and seemed to make so many conflicts and concerns melt away. Their families would report noticing these same changes when they returned to the ground. 

A scientist and author named Frank White eventually coined a term for this common experience: “The Overview Effect.”

None of us may ever travel in space. Yet, the story of our faith is filled with those who have achieved this vantage point through their spiritual practice. The peace, and grace, that comes when we let our eyes lift from the minutia that preoccupies our minds and senses moment-to-moment, and gain a cosmic perspective. 

This is not about ignoring ourselves from the hard realities of life, but rather expanding our capacity to meet the challenges of this moment by lifting our eyes and broadening the horizon of our hope. 

As we journey the path ahead, lift your eyes. Feel both the beauty and tenderness of our place amid the vastness of creation. And know that the one who made all this, made you.

More Devotionals

Let there be Light

By: Todd Rider

"For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ."

2 Corinthians 4:6

Turn Around

By: Rev. Ron Kurtz

"See what great love God has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"

1 John 3:1

Night Sail to Rockland

By: Mark Patrick

"See what great love God has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"

1 John 3:1

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