From edubuzz.org
As someone who leads a pretty average-looking life, it may or may not surprise you that I’m really into science fiction. Especially the kind involving outer space or time travel, and especially anything involving Brits. I’ve read all of C.S. Lewis’s space trilogy (Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, That Hideous Strength, though only the first two involved space directly), and I’m currently devouring the 2005 reincarnation of Doctor Who through Netflix.
Last night, as I was watching an episode from the second season, it dawned on me that there is something mysterious that draws me in to discussions about outer space. In college, I had to watch a couple of movies, like Contact, that involved encountering something from the mysterious darkness of outer space, and I realized that there is a sense of awe and wonder, and also a little fear, that comes to me whenever I start to think about the things in space.
Because here’s what really gets me. God created this great big universe. It’s immense, vast and unexplored by humans. We are tiny and insignificant compared to the great universe, and that causes many people to worship it, rather than focus on God. But I think the universe is a metaphor, brilliantly designed by a mysterious God. As soon as we think we have something figured out about the universe, it surprises us again. Isn’t that what God is like? He is constant and never changes, but at the same time, he doesn’t fit into our expectations. How much of God is totally unknown to us? Why do we believe that we are so important that God would only create life on this one, rather small, planet, and not have other civilizations elsewhere? Perhaps we’ll never come into contact with them, but it’s not a stretch to think that God was more creative than we give him credit for. Besides that, in order to sustain life on this planet, God needs only to have created one solar system, or just one galaxy. But he didn’t. He created a seemingly endless universe.
Why? Maybe to show us how small and lowly we are, or maybe to show us how majestic He is. Either way, the proper response is to fall down in worship, not of the universe, but of our Holy God.
Psalm 19
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.3 They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.6 It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth.7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.11 By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.12 But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
