Matt Clarke's Morning Messages

Space Shuttle Columbia's First Mission

Written by Matt Clarke | January 28, 2026

I remember the first time I saw the space shuttle take off. It was April 1981, and I was a ten-year-old boy fascinated by the idea of space and what it even was. We sat around the TV and listened to the countdown. The huge rocket boosters attached to the sides of the shuttle billowed smoke from the bottom as they started heating up, and then the whole world seemed to shake as they came to full power. Fire swept over the entire platform and lifted the shuttle off the ground. It seemed like slow motion as it tore away from the tower and hurled itself into the sky. My heart was pounding. 

Then the boosters ejected, and the seemingly small engine of the shuttle lit and slowly carried it into orbit. Then that engine appeared to go out, and the vessel just kind of floated around for a while. Excitement over. It all seemed pretty boring during that part to me. No more excitement, no fire burning, no crowd cheering, just a bunch of adults going to work every day to complete whatever mission they were charged with. The excitement was over. It was now down to execution.

"Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride." (Ecclesiastes 7:8)

You don't win on emotion; you win on execution. 

We see this same event play out in front of us and within us, all the time. We get a great idea that gets the juices flowing.   We go to a conference and get fired up about all the things we are going to do. We make resolutions to change our lives. We run out of the tunnel to 50,000 screaming fans, and our hearts start pounding as we hit the field ready to win. Then we take a cleat to the face, and reality sets in.  

Emotion is the rocket fuel we need to get something started and off the ground, but we need patient, disciplined execution over time to finish the mission.    

God put in your heart desires to accomplish big things and gave you mountain-moving abilities. He also tells us clearly that trials will come. Seas will rage. Opposition will be present. And all of that will breed character, perseverance, and hope if we patiently trust Him and do the work over time.  

What have you set out to accomplish that you need to establish a disciplined plan around in order to execute? Before your fuel runs out, take a step back and write down the disciplines you need to focus on every day, every week, and every month. Write a plan to execute, especially when things get hard. Things you agree to do even when doubt, excuses, and life stand in your way. Be honest. Be clear. Be committed. Don't launch another rocket until the one that's in the air has a plan to finish the mission and land safely.  

Finishing is better than starting. Pride is emotion, patience is execution. If you don't want to float around in space, letting whatever orbit you find yourself in dictate your destination, have a disciplined plan of execution to keep those engines burning.  
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