Stargazing

click on link for podcast of this blog post:

https://anchor.fm/beth-madison/episodes/Stargazing-e1lbghi

Psalm 8:3-4 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?

Let’s take a minute or two to dissect this picture*.

This is a picture of thousands upon thousands of galaxies in the deepest space we’ve ever seen

Each point of light is one entire galaxy containing thousands upon thousands of stars, planets, and other pieces of creation we can’t even begin to understand or imagine.

Did you catch that? each light an entire galaxy, not just one star – if you need to read that again, I understand since I had to do the same the first time I saw the description for this picture.

This dimension of this picture is equivalent to the size of 1 grain of sand held at arm’s length from the viewer – in other words, this picture is not even a blip or dot in comparison with the vastness of space (whether or not you have on your glasses!)

Are the hairs on your arms and neck standing up in wonder and amazement yet?

Is your mouth hanging open because your mind can’t begin to comprehend what your eyes are seeing?

If so, then join the crowd in a most appropriate response to the wonder contained here! On that note, let’s take a moment to just look and marvel and feel overwhelmed in the beauty… so close your eyes, take a deep breath in, then take another look at the picture, and let that deep breath out…

Now it’s time to stop and re-read those verses of Psalm 8:3-4 that you first read with this post…

What are you feeling now? Cherished, kept close in, known, seen, treasured, and beloved are all most appropriate responses of worship to the King of all creation, the One Who was, is, and is to come.

Not only did our Good God make each and every star in each and every galaxy, He brings them out each and every night, one by one by one by one by…just like He’s done and is doing the same for each and every one of us! He’s made every electron, atom, cell, organ, system, and person and brings each one out for its purpose, place, and position at the right time, one by one by one by one by…

Never lost, always loved.

Never forgotten, always forgiven.

Never disregarded, always desired.

That is how God sees me. That is how God sees you.

Purchased with the blood of His beloved. Placed with the purpose of His eternity.

For all time, in all ways, for all of His created.

On that note, let’s stop again and consider another amazing thought –

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece, created in the Messiah Jesus to perform good actions that God prepared long ago to be our way of life.

Are the hairs on your neck and arms standing up again yet? And your mouth – is it hanging open again with a true lack of understanding on the implications of this one verse? if so, again a most appropriate response!

Yes, this is an incomprehensible idea, no matter how many degrees, years of experience, certificates, or awards you might have (or not).

God calls us His masterpiece. Not the stars or seas, not the forests or firmament, not the lands or lions, but us, as people. Each and every one of us – His. From Adam to David to Mary to John to Galileo to Johannes Kepler to Neil Armstrong to our parents to you, to me and onwards for however many people yet to come. His masterpiece with the purpose of His good works done in His good way in His good time. And all of this leads us right back to where we started – the very good work of worship.

Worship of Who God is through delighting in what He has done and is doing in His creation, all around and in us. From stargazing to beach walking to forest dreaming to playing with children – all tangible evidence of a love beyond understanding or imagining.

So from one little part of His masterpiece to another, I encourage you to take some time today to stop and ponder the glorious creation in and around you. To stargaze, to forest or field walk, to beach sitting, to baby holding or dreaming. To worship the One Who was there at creation and holds all of creation together for now and the not-yet.

Colossians 1:15-17 And He Himself existed and is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. [His is the controlling, cohesive force of the universe.] 

*newest available picture from James Webb space telescope 7/12/22

If you’re interested in a little video I did with some thoughts about stars and us and Psalm 8, here’s a link to watch it: (if it doesn’t link directly from here, please copy and paste into your browser – my apologies for an extra step)

https://unionu.instructuremedia.com/embed/f9d4598d-5948-4097-b91b-f34e5afe8749

I’d LOVE for you to join me on this journey to Jesus, please click on the link below to sign up to follow this blog – thank YOU!

https://soulscientistblog.com/blog/

And if you’re looking for a Bible study book to encourage you in your quiet times and in your days, here’s a link where you can purchase Good Ground, Volume 1 directly from Northeastern Baptist Press:

https://www.nebpvermont.com/good-ground-volume-1

Good Ground, Volume 1 is also available from Amazon, Walmart, Barnes and Noble, Books A Million, and other book distributors. 

Stay tuned for Good Ground, Volume 2 coming Fall 2022, also from Northeastern Baptist Press! (and for something else new also coming soon from Northeastern Baptist Press…)

Written by and copyrighted to Beth Madison, Ph.D., 2022.