A journey into the unknown

‘SPACE: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise.' The words of Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) launched each episode of a television programme that became a classic.

The first Star Trek series beamed up onto TV screens in 1966. Created by Gene Roddenberry, it was set on board a 23rd-century spaceship and portrayed the dangers and moral dilemmas faced by the crew.

Since the first episode was aired, the show has inspired feature films, spin-off dramas, an animated series and a No 1 single, ‘Star Trekkin'.

Starship 'Enterprise'
But Star Trek's take-off was not as smooth as its longevity might lead viewers to believe. It took two pilot episodes to convince the television company to make the programme and it was almost cancelled after the second series.

But it survived its faltering start and generations of fans have watched engrossed as the captain has led his crew to ‘boldly go where no man has gone before'.

As we stand at the beginning of a new year we may be able to identify with the sentiments of Kirk's words. A new year can seem like a voyage into the unknown. Who knows what this new year will bring?

We may be apprehensive or excited at the prospect of new experiences and challenges. Or we may be feeling a little lost. But we are not alone on our journey.

God has promised to be there with us each step of the way. In the Bible God paints a picture to show that no bad experience of life need overwhelm us. He says: ‘When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze' (Isaiah 43:2 New International Version).

There is not an experience where God is not available to help us and guide us.

We may not be able to change where we have come from; we may even feel that, like Star Trek, we've had a faltering beginning. But we can change where we are going. Our future does not have to be a carbon copy of a disappointing past - God does not want that. He wants our journey into the new year to be positive, enjoyable and one that includes him.

War Cry 2 January 2010 - TSA UK