Marvel at the MoonSample

A Trailblazer

A trailblazer carves out a trail, or path, for others to follow. You might imagine someone hacking their way through the wilderness. But Katherine Johnson blazed a trail through the world of math and rocket science—all the way to the Moon!

In the 1950s, when Katherine began working for NASA, very few women or people of color worked in math and science. It was a time of segregation (seh-grih-GAY-shuhn) when Black people were separated from White people and weren’t given the same rights. Back then, NASA wanted to launch the first American into space. They needed to know when and where the rocket should launch so that it landed at just the right time and place. They couldn’t figure it out, but Katherine did!

Katherine also worked on other NASA missions, including Apollo 11 and the Space Shuttle. Her math is even being used in the Artemis missions to the Moon!

Katherine’s work blazed a trail through NASA for other women and minorities to follow. But there’s an even more amazing trailblazer: Jesus.

When Jesus came to Earth, He carved out a path for us by showing us how to love God and live the right way. And when He died and rose again, He cut a path through sin and death. That path leads us straight to God. The best part is, Jesus doesn’t expect us to follow His path alone. He walks with us every step of the way.

Lord, thank You so much for sending Jesus to blaze a trail to heaven for me to follow. Show me how I can help others follow His trail too. Amen.