“Today, we’re going to use our imagination.” I was surprised to hear my management teacher start class this way. “Pretend you’re an astronaut on the moon and you have experienced a major problem. Should you try to make it back to the lunar module before it lifts off or stay where you are and try to survive? To help, you have a flashlight, a gun, and some matches.”
He divided the class into groups of 6 people to discuss our answer. Then he gave a sinister little chuckle. “By the way, this is a social experiment. It will be interesting to see the dynamics in your group. For instance, who will come out as the leader.”
After we moved our desks together, this one guy immediately stated: “We need to choose to survive.” He didn’t even ask for opinions. That being said, he got mine: “Actually, we need to get back to the landing module.” Before I could say anything else, he responded: “No, we need to survive so we can be rescued.” Let’s just say his tone of voice wasn’t very nice. I almost expected him to add: “DUH.”
Giving him the benefit of the doubt, I answered: “This is not Star Trek. There is no USS Enterprise that can beam you off the surface of the moon in a matter of seconds. So, your only hope of rescue would be another rocket launch, which would take weeks. And since there’s about 6 to 8 hours of oxygen in the spacesuit tanks. you’d be dead long before they could get back to the moon.”
He simply replied: “No, we are going to choose to survive.”
I was stunned by his refusal to listen to reason. It should have been obvious that the solution was getting back to the landing module. Then it hit me. This guy’s main and only concern was being in charge. When I said what I did, he thought I was trying to take over as the leader and he wasn’t about to let that happen. Since I wanted nothing to do with his power play or the wrong answer, I raised my hands and stated: “I’m not going down this road, so I’m out.” The guy shrugged and began to talk about using what they had so they could survive. As I sat there in silence, I heard someone mention using the matches to keep warm. The fact that there’s no wood or oxygen on the moon didn’t seem to bother anybody.
I am going to give a quick disclaimer before I go any further. In this story, I wasn’t trying to be a “smarty pants” or a “know it all.” Astronomy and space travel have always fascinated me, so I have probably read up on it more that most people. That being said, a few hours of oxygen versus waiting for weeks should be a no brainer.
The teacher called time and we all scooted our desks back into place. And wouldn’t you know, he called upon our group first for the answer. This guy stated rather loudly: “We chose to survive.” The teacher pointed at him and said: “You’re wrong. The answer is to get back to the landing module.” I raised my hand and said: “That’s why I abstained from the group.” Again, I wasn’t trying to be a smarty pants. I simply didn’t want to be associated with the wrong answer. By the way, our group was the only one to choose survival.
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 (KJV)
While I was writing, this verse popped into my head. It makes sense since the group leader led our classmates down the road to the incorrect answer. Unfortunately, many people choose to follow a person and/or an idea down the wrong path than those who follow the path that leads to the Lord. To stay on the path to life, may I suggest having a relationship with Jesus. He will never lead you astray.
The teacher went on to explain why survival was the wrong answer. Except for the Star Trek reference, he pretty much repeated what I had said. I have to admit, sometimes it is quite satisfying being a geek.
Brooke Cox is an author, speaker, and storyteller. She was a 2016 Selah Awards Finalist for Debut Novel. Her children’s book: “Dinosaur Eggs,” is now available. It is based on Ephesians 6: The Armor of God. Her novel “Until the Moon Rises: A Conniving Cousin Mystery” is also available. Also, she has two books out in her storytelling series: “Saucy Southern Stories.” The Amazon links for her books may be found on her website: brookecoxstories.com. Please feel free to contact her. She would love to hear from you.