In case you are wondering by the title, no, I am not talking about a soap opera today, though Life feels that way sometimes, doesn’t it!
Interestingly, this week, I came across two separate pictures regarding similar space topics. I love pictures from space, but these hit me in two completely different ways!
One was a diagram of Earth in the context of our solar system… how small our planet is compared to everything else. It filled me with hope because it reminded me how small my problems are and how great our God is. How inspiring!
Later, I saw the second picture (below), which contained a quote by the late Carl Sagan about the ‘pale blue dot.’ At the end of the discouraging comment, the last sentence says, “there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves.” How depressing!
It’s not that I disagreed with the quote entirely. Human history is complex and full of strife. Besides, Carl Sagan was far more educated than I will ever be! I assume he knew what he was talking about in general science terms. But, he apparently knew nothing about faith and hope.
His quote implies that we all need to do our part and ‘save the Earth’ because no one else is going to do it for us. He also implied we need to treat each other well. I agree!
Yet, while we all have good characteristics, none of us is capable of getting past our selfishness on our own (Romans 3:23). It seems to me that the quote is only telling half the story… and even then, it is from the wrong perspective, that we humans are responsible for our own salvation (physical and spiritual).
Sadly, Mr. Sagan missed the part of the story where Jesus Christ came from Heaven for the dual purpose of restoring our relationship with God and saving us from ourselves!
Philippians Chapter 2 describes this further. Jesus is our only Hope of salvation!
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
I’m so grateful Jesus humbled Himself, became a tiny baby, and squeezed Himself into our story. He brought God glory and reconciled us, too! Now, we can live for Him and in the future, He will make everything right. Thank You, Jesus!
In the end, it is God’s faithfulness to us that makes the difference. We are not capable of that on our own. Just as the sun rises every day, there is always the blue sky behind the clouds. We can rest in His provision and salvation, knowing His mercies are new every day and as the world turns! 😉
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God, we praise You! We are in awe of Your wonder and majesty. Thanks for loving us so much, even though we are extremely small in light of everything else You made. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Questions: What stands out to you about these two pictures (above)?
Tasks: For another view on space and grace, read this throwback post!
