July 10, 2020

July 10, 2020.

Good afternoon,

" God made two great lights —- the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He made the stars God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness."   Genesis 1: 16-19

The moon is 384,000 kilometers from earth . The earth about 152 million kilometers from the sun. Yet, while I walk in the morning, I can see both. I do not usually think about the distance, but take it for granted and normal, that we have the sun and moon. My brain, I think, is sensing that they are much closer.

Our planet sits in the galaxy called the Milky Way. There are over a billion stars in this one galaxy that we live in. It is estimated that the universe is still expanding, but scientists believe the universe has two billion galaxies. This means that there are billions and billions of stars, and even more planets in the universe. And God is even bigger than that. With such enormous numbers, we cannot begin to describe the nature of God. With such an expanse, God can do anything, miracle or otherwise.

So, why did God put us here at this time of history, on a very small planet that revolves and revolves around the hot object we call the Sun ?  Are there other planets out there, or out here, where people live or exist in some way. My hunch, and I have no proof, there must be some liveable planets out there beyond the sky. But, close to us, there seems to be no other living beings living on planets.

Why did God create such vastness ? Billions and billions of this and that, why ? God answers Job's questions about anger, with a statement about ," Well, were you there when this was all created ? ". We could think about the smallness of matter as well.  Muons, atoms, molecules and protons. The theory of relativity and quantum mechanics continue to try to make sense of the little things that make up the big things of this world.

What questions do you have about the universe, both large and small ? Where do your questions and answers take you ? Oh well, I will continue to take pictures in the morning, and think about God and the universe, and the sun and the moon.

Prayer

Psalm 139: 6-10

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

Too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit ?

Where can I flee from your presence ?

If I go up to the heavens,

You are there.

If I make my bed in the depths,

You are there.

If  I rise on the wings of the dawn,

If I settle on the far side of the sea,

Even there, your hand will guide me.

Your right hand will hold me fast.                 AMEN.

Fred Redekop