The Astronaut Who Almost Stayed Home

When NASA selected Mae Jemison for the crew of Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992, she wasn't fearless. She'd grown up on the South Side of Chicago, earned degrees in chemical engineering and medicine, served in the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone — and still, she admitted to feeling the weight of doubt before that September launch. The mission wasn't optional. She'd been chosen, and the one who chose her had the authority to send her.

But here's what mattered: Jemison didn't wait until the doubt disappeared. She strapped in anyway. She orbited the earth 127 times and conducted experiments that advanced our understanding of bone cells and motion sickness. She carried the doubt with her and did the work regardless.

Matthew tells us something striking about that mountaintop in Galilee. The eleven saw the risen Jesus, and some worshiped — but some doubted. And Jesus didn't pull the doubters aside for remedial faith training. He gave the commission to the whole group, doubters included. Go. Make disciples. Baptize. Teach. And then He added the words that made everything possible: "I am with you always, to the end of the age."

The Great Commission wasn't issued to the certain. It was issued to the willing. Christ doesn't wait for our doubt to vanish before He sends us. He sends us with it — and promises His presence is bigger than our hesitation. The Almighty doesn't ask for perfect faith. He asks for open hands.