The Day the Earth Stood Still – 1951
Have Aliens Visited Our Planet?
That question has been headline news lately. But here’s a different perspective: We live in an alien world. In the classic science-fiction film The Day the Earth Stood Still, Klaatu, a visitor from outer space, warns humanity about their perverse and violent ways. Just as, 2,000 ago Jesus often seemed to shake his head at the sheer abnormality of our world.
Following what seemed like an understandable failing on the part of his disciples to heal a boy suffering from demonic seizures, Jesus responded, “O, you unbelieving and perverse generation! How long must I remain with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.”
After healing the child, he explained that, with even the slightest spark of real belief in God’s unlimited power, “nothing would be impossible” for us.
Beyond Our Alienated World…
What we consider miraculous, abnormal events are quite normal, even necessary occurrences. Trust in the power of God keeps the heavens functioning. And living in reverence for the Creator of all things allows the most powerful force in the universe, God’s love, to flow.
We won’t see a complete reversal of our planet’s cosmic abnormality this side of the second coming. But we can put ourselves at the vanguard by praying, as Jesus taught us to, “Our father in the heavens,* may your name be revered, may your kingdom come and your will be done here on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9-10).
Meanwhile, let us strive to be faith-filled ambassadors to this alien world.
*Literal translations render the Greek word for heaven here (“above” or “beyond”) in the plural form, meaning the whole universe.
P.S. Happy Father’s Day!
“…These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth…”
Hebrews 11:13
There is the idea that Jesus gives us of being, “not of this world” (John 8:23; John 18:36), as well as Paul’s several distinctions between this world and the Kingdom of Christ, that we as believers must be able to comprehend, we are not of this world, not completely alien, but separate from its ways, and we are the light that leads others out of it.
Great post!
Blessings
Thanks, Pete, and likewise, brother!
Are we not ourselves aliens visiting this planet? And are we not debasing it as we please? Our only hope is turning to a higher power and praying that our God will take pity on us. And pray that She is a benevolent diety!
🤗🤗🤗
You made me think of the Christian song A Spaceman Came Traveling. I highly recommend the Celtic Woman version.
Thanks, I’ll check it out, Andrew.
You’re welcome, Mitch.
Happy Fathers Day to you too Mitch
Thank you, Anonymous friend.
This piece lands with a kind of gentle jolt—the reminder that the “alien world” isn’t out there in some distant galaxy but right here in the everyday brokenness Jesus Himself lamented. What we call miraculous, God calls normal; what we treat as normal, heaven calls perverse. And yet the tone isn’t despairing but invitational: trust, reverence, and prayer are how we begin living as citizens of the world to come even while standing in this one. It’s a call to be ambassadors—people who carry the atmosphere of heaven into a planet that’s forgotten its Maker. Happy Father’s day.
Thank you, and likewise, Michael!
A great movie! Happy Father’s Day!
Thank you, Dawn!
Happy Father’s Day, Mitch.
Thank you, and likewise, Bob❣
Perhaps Keanu Reeves shouldn’t have got in the way of our annihilation.
It’s a favourite film of mine alongside The Forbidden Planet; and raises still some serious and important questions.
It does indeed, Julian.
We are the aliens. MHO
Yep.
Sorry. It takes me a little while to catch up with your posts sometimes. But then when I do, it is well worth the read. Thanks for this timely reminder that those times when I start to feel a little too comfortable with “the things of this world,” are likely the times I have wandered far from God’s path. Here’s to “alienation” in the best sense of the word.