August 2006
A LITTLE STAR GAZING
Well, it’s summer and it’s been hot the last few
days. When it gets hot like that, it’s very
uncomfortable being outside; especially for those of
us who really don’t function well under that kind of
heat. But last night, as I stepped out of the house, I
was surprised to find that it was really quite
plea-sant outside. In fact it was so pleasant and so
quiet and clear that I decided to just lie out on the
car to gaze at the stars for a while and take in the
tranquility of the moment.
As I looked out into the heavens I realized anew how
breathtaking the night sky can be. It never ceases to
amaze me how awe inspiring it is to simply look out
into the heavens and just reflect on the heavens; the
countless multitudes of stars and galaxies in that
immeasurable vastness of space. Why is that?
Maybe we’re awed by the infinite because we live in
such a finite world. Every day, it seems like our
world grows smaller and smaller with each advance in
technology. Things that were once a world away now
seem as close as the house next door. It took Columbus
five weeks to cross the Atlantic Ocean; now it takes
only hours. Letters that took days, weeks or even
months to deliver can now reach their recipient in a
matter of seconds, thanks to e-mail. The latest news
and information are instantaneous. We now have the
ability to know what’s happening anywhere in the world
in real time. Our finite world has become
infinitesimal.
On the other hand, the infinite universe is still a
mystery to us. Sure we can send a rocket out into
space or go to the moon, or see with powerful
telescopes into the depths of space beyond our own
galaxy; but we still only know a tiny fraction; almost
all of the vastness of space is far beyond our reach.
As we try to comprehend the immensity and mystery of
the universe, we begin to realize that our world is
nothing more than an insignificant grain of sand we
call the Earth nestled within one of a countless
number of galaxies.
Or maybe . . . just maybe, we’re awed because the
vastness and beauty we see quickens our hearts and
reminds us that the word of the living God is written
within each of us. In awe we realize the absolute
truth of what’s declared in the first ten words in the
Scriptures, Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning, God
created the heavens and the earth.” We may not
understand all the intricate details of “how” creation
unfolded; nor do we need to. The truly important
aspect of creation is not “how” but “who”. And can
there really be any question about the “who” when the
answer is written at the core of our very being? I
really don’t think so. Knowing the awe that overcomes
us as we ponder God’s wonderful creation, how can we
help but be even more in awe of its Creator?
And to think that God created humanity in his own
image . . . Wow! We are each created to be in
relationship with the God of the universe! How can we
even begin to think about that fact without falling on
our knees in worship and praise? And to think that the
God of the universe stepped into time to make right
our wrongs; to save us from ourselves when we failed
to be what we were created to be. How do we get our
minds around the kind of love God has for us, the
crowning glory of his creation. How can we understand
that he sent Jesus, his only son, to give his life for
us and take our brokenness and our sin upon himself so
that we could be restored to the fullness of who we
were created to be? How is it that we could ever take
who we are and our relationship with God for granted?
It never ceases to amaze me that staring up at the
stars, some tiny spots of light in the evening sky,
can humble us and bring us to our knees. What a mighty
God we serve! What a loving God . . . Our God is truly
worthy to be praised; now and forever! AMEN.
Grace and Peace, The Rev. Rob Hughes
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O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing