Getting A New Perspective

Every so often, we need to get a new point of view. We have pushed back the frontiers of first one science and then another, until we stand awed and inspired by the immensities and complexities of the world around us.

Science, instead of removing us from God, has sometimes drawn us closer to Him. It has forced us to our knees to behold...the still unexplored...the still unknown parts of this mighty universe.

A minister said that once each year, he preached on astronomy. He didn't know much about it...but it made him think big! And it does!

Who can comprehend the vastness of outer space? For example, if you could ride a light beam (186,000 miles per sec.), you would pass the sun in 8.6 min. Continuing at this same rate of speed, you would reach the nearest star (little Proxima Centauri) in about 4 years. And then, still moving at the speed of light, it would take you 99,996 years to reach the edge of the Milky Way (which is our own galaxy). Beyond this, there are at least 500,000 other galaxies already chartered, and more being discovered all the time. That's a "wow" in my book!

And then, look in the opposite direction and there are equally amazing discoveries in the micro‑world. The atom, eg.,...so tiny, that 2,000,000 of them in a row, would cover a space no larger than the tiny dot over the letter "i" on my printer.

In the midst of this, we are tempted to ask with the Psalmist, "What is man that thou art mindful of him?" (Ps. 8:4)

Does this put us in our place, and yet it gives us a place. God, who has made the galaxies of outer space has also arranged the minuteness of inner space. Can we then believe that He has ignored or overlooked the all‑important activities of those He has chosen to call His children?

He created us. He gave us a place. He has exalted us to a high degree, but He has also humbled us, lest we lose our sense of values and balance.

In a world already existing for over 2 billion years, can incidents that happen to you and me for one day or for one year, or even for one lifetime, actually affect God? Where upon the records of the universe, will be recorded the disappointments of John Smith, or of Joe Blow, who became discouraged one day in May and almost gave up the battle?

And yet the assurance keeps coming, that although what happens to me, doesn't seem to matter much, and the world goes on pretty much as usual without my small contribution...that it is recorded! And it does make a difference, and that God does care, and that He cares for you and for me.

I rejoice that the God who made us, is big enough to know the disappointments of each person, and if we put our trust in Him, He will set us high upon a Rock, and put a new song in our hearts, and will help us not to stumble or fall.