CARDBOARD ASTRONAUT .
There were those who vilified NASA and the space program. They claimed that the whole trip was a farce and there never really was a trip to the moon, nor was it truly even possible. The idea that we could travel outside of what they thought and knew was unacceptable. It must be some sort of conspiracy. Every mission and exploration party has had to endure the same criticism, even in the kingdom of God.
The church is afraid of and at the same time attracted to people who think outside of the box. A Cardboard Astronaut is someone who isn’t willing to be discontented, unwilling to simply remain in negative neutral wishing that there was more to living for God than the stale, flat mentality that so many have accepted for the sake of conformity. They are willing to push the boundaries at great personal risk to deviate from the accepted norms.
The most important part of being a true Cardboard Astronaut is about connection. The goal has never been to destroy the box, but like an astronaut, to move outside of its confines and explore new ideas and concepts.
Just like those early space explorers, the journey begins way before we actually step out of the box. It usually starts with a sense of wonder.
Years before, that man was a boy lying on his back in the backyard staring out into space, hoping. It may be that you’ve had that same experience, a dull ache that makes you long for more than what we have.
Discovery is not about coming up with something new. To “dis|cover” something is to find something already there but hidden from view by ignorance, obstruction or distance.
A cardboard astronaut is not looking for some new truth(s) he or she is looking for truth that has been obscured by ignorance, obstruction or distance. When we push the boundaries it is for the sake of the Church not to forsake it.
Go, but remember where you came from because your goal isn’t to get away from the Church, it’s to broaden the understanding of those not willing to believe until they see, to bring them to the places you’ve been to and to help them dream about the possibilities.
