On December 20, 2019, the government gifted us with an early Christmas present – the first addition to the armed forces since 1947. The United States Space Force (USSF) was born.
“The establishment of the USSF resulted from widespread recognition that space is a national security imperative. When combined with the growing threat posed by strategic competitors in space, it became clear that there was a need for a military service focused solely on pursuing superiority in the space domain.
“While the Space Force is the newest service, the Department of Defense has been working in the space domain since the beginning of space exploration. The Space Force consolidates satellite acquisition, budget and workforce from across more than 60 different organizations into a unified, efficient, effective service for space operations.”1
Now, I have to admit that when I think of the USSF, imagery of sci-fi spoofs and shows like Star Trek immediately pop in my mind. Looking on the website for the USSF:
- Their logo is very similar to the Star Trek uniform logo.
- A training branch of the USSF is called the Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM). This sounds like a nod to Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story franchise who was a Space Ranger trying to contact “Star Command.” In fact, the emblem for STARCOM says “Star Command.” Are they looking for Emperor Zurg?
- “All Space Force personnel, whether civilian or military, are called “Guardians.” As of 2024, the Space Force has more than 14,000 military and civilian Guardians.”2 Does anyone else immediately think of Guardians of the Galaxy, a 2014 Marvel-comics film? Not an endorsement but just a recognition of similarity. The USSF was founded five years after this film. Could they have not chosen a different term?
- As I watched and read some of the online USSF resources, it constantly felt like all that was missing was Captain Kirk (William Shatner) saying, “Space. The final frontier.” And don’t forget the ending: “To boldly go where no man has gone before.” Cue the whoosh and the music!
I wonder if this is how people felt when NASA was created on July 29, 1958.
As I attempt to wrestle all of this to a Biblical, spiritual application, I want us to consider just one fact. While we (I) may think that the USSF sounds a little hokey and Hollywood-ish, I cannot dismiss the fact that there is a renewed Space Race occurring similar to what was taking place in the late 50s when NASA was formed. Technology, a desire for exploration, and curiosity has caused man to want to venture into space. And, somebody must be forward thinking, preparing for what is inevitably to come.
Do we not need the same forward thinking spiritually?
In 1 Chronicles 12:32, we read of those who had that spiritual vision, looking ahead to what was to come. “And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.” The men of Issachar were looking ahead, observing the times and rightly projecting the outcome. Their vigilance and understanding of what was coming on the horizon would have been beneficial to the children of Israel had they heeded the warnings.
Jesus said to the disciples, “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. (35) For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. (36) Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:34-36)
To the church of Corinth, Paul said, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13) And to the people of Thessalonica, Paul wrote, “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. (2) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (3) For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (4) But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. (5) Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. (6) Therefore 
let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-6) This watchful vigilance is necessary to keep ourselves and others safe and prepared for what is coming.
I do not believe in “little green men” or that an armada of ETs are getting ready to invade from the Andromeda Galaxy. However, the military powers of earth have utilized ground and air tactics for centuries. Now, we have plenty of satellites in orbit and cyber-attacks happen 2,220 times per day.3 The fight is being taken to places where the average soldier and civilian cannot see. Forward thinking military strategists realize that there is a need for the USSF.
Are we forward thinking spiritually? We need to be. Let the warning of 1 Peter 5:8 help to remind us of this need. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
1https://www.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/
2Ibid.
3https://www.demandsage.com/cybersecurity-statistics/
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