In 1977, two space probes were launched, Voyager 1 & 2. Their primary missions were to photograph many of the planets in our solar system. The secondary mission was to go into deep space outside the influence of our sun and send information back about the conditions of outer space. Both Voyager space probes carried a gold-plated audio-visual disc. The discs carried photos of the Earth and its lifeforms, a range of scientific information, spoken greetings from the people and a medley, “Sounds of Earth,” that includes the sounds of whales, a baby crying, waves breaking on a shore, and a collection of music. This was done in the event that these probes were found by other intelligent life forms during their travels. This will not happen, but it makes for great information to base a science movie in which the aliens have all the information to destroy planet earth. In thinking about information that would be important enough to send into space, have you thought about the information that you are transmitting?
When we think about the important messages given to mankind none could be more important than the gospel. God, who communicated with mankind has now given us a message through His Son (Heb. 1:1-2). That message was given to the apostles and early Christians to carry around the known world of the time (Matt. 28:18-20; John 17:8,14). It was accomplished by the help of the Holy Spirit that guided them into all truth (John 14:25-26). Then, the inspired writings were circulated and copied and codified into the Bible we have now (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; 1 Cor. 14:37). This message that was a mystery for thousands of years has been made known to us (Col. 1:26-27). It is that message that we have been given charge of to share with the rest of the world and those closest to us (Eph. 6:19).
That is the message that should be most important to us. However, there are things we could do that would prevent us from being good carriers of the message. Paul said this, “Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified” (1 Cor. 9:26-27). And later, “For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves” (2 Cor. 4:5-7). The most important message for the universe should be on our hearts not on golden discs flying through empty space.