Have you ever had a day that you just sorta wanted to forget?
Maybe you made a mistake at work. Or, you accidentally hit the “delete” button on the computer screen and “Presto!” all your work was lost in cyberspace! Or, you spilled coffee on your favorite shirt and you didn’t think the stain would come out. We’ve all had some bad days.
Recently, Pluto had a bad day.
I’m not talking about the cartoon character Pluto. You know, Mickey Mouse’s favorite dog. Not talking about him. I’m talking about the planet. Well, it was a planet. Now, it’s not a planet any longer.
According to a news report, “Leading astronomers declared … that Pluto is no longer a planet under historic new guidelines that downsize the solar system from nine planets to eight.”
When I read the news article I thought, “How can you do that?” I mean, I thought planets were pretty safe. Man, it’s a tough economy if planets are getting fired! I wonder if Donald Trump is the one who had to tell Pluto “You’re fired!”
But why do you fire a planet?
The International Astronomical Union (I haven’t been asked to be a member!) stripped Pluto of its planetary status that it has held since 1930. This Union created new guidelines on what constitutes a planet. And, Pluto doesn’t fit the bill.
So, “Pluto, you’re history!”
Fired!
Just like that, the planetary system as we know it changed.
We have all heard of companies “reorganizing” their structure, but planets? Now, I know that in reality, Pluto didn’t get fired. Pluto is still there. It’s like it refuses to give up its office cubicle. It’s just the way planets are defined has changed and consequently, Pluto doesn’t fit the new definition. So, God’s creation is the same regardless of the decision made by the International Astronomical Union.
What do we learn from this?
First, no one, or, for that matter, no planet, is exempt from trials and troubles. I mean, one would think that planets are safe. When people start issuing pink slips to members of the solar system, it sorta gives you pause.
Second, life moves on. The day that Pluto was fired from the solar system or, the day the solar system was “redefined” the world kept turning. Sometimes we forget that. When we are going through some tough times we can begin to think that a problem is greater than it is. I try to remind myself when facing problems that God is still on the throne and the earth is still turning.
Third, don’t let whatever people think of you bother you. You see, the International Astronomical Union decided that Pluto no longer fit the bill as a planet. So, they called Pluto into the office and said, “Effective immediately, you are no longer a planet.” Pluto may have asked, “Why?” If so, it was told, “Well, we don’t think you are a planet any longer.”
“But,” Pluto responds, “I’ve been a planet for years… School children have been taught that I’m a planet. You can’t just decide that I’m not a planet any longer.”
“Oh yes we can,” comes the response.
Now, if Pluto suffered from a self esteem problem that could really hurt! If we are not careful what people think of us can adversely affect us if we are not careful. So, we need to know that Jesus loves us and it doesn’t matter what others may think.
Pluto is no longer a planet. But, life moves on.
If you have a bad day, with the Lord’s help, put it aside and press on with your life.
Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever.”