“A galaxy is composed of gas and dust and stars—billions upon billions of stars,” according to Dr. Carl Sagan. Yet we hear in our heads billions AND billions of stars and ascribe that statement to Carl Sagan.
Why is this echoing in my head today, Lord?
Carl Sagan was an acknowledged atheist vehement in his beliefs that there is neither God nor an afterlife.
“I would love to believe that when I die I will live again, that some thinking, feeling, remembering part of me will continue. But as much as I want to believe that, and despite the ancient and worldwide cultural traditions that assert an afterlife, I know of nothing to suggest that it is more than wishful thinking.”― Carl Sagan, Billions & Billions: Thoughts on Life and Death at the Brink of the Millennium
Wishful thinking…
On atheism, Sagan commented in 1981:
An atheist is someone who is certain that God does not exist, someone who has compelling evidence against the existence of God. I know of no such compelling evidence. Because God can be relegated to remote times and places and to ultimate causes, we would have to know a great deal more about the universe than we do now to be sure that no such God exists. To be certain of the existence of God and to be certain of the nonexistence of God seem to me to be the confident extremes in a subject so riddled with doubt and uncertainty as to inspire very little confidence indeed.
Doubt. Uncertainty. Very little confidence indeed…
He is also known for expressing wonderment at the vastness of space and time, as in his phrase “The total number of stars in the Universe is larger than all the grains of sand on all the beaches of the planet Earth.”
I wonder. Just how immense were the wonders God revealed to Dr. Sagan as God unfolded His majesty and His message before Dr. Sagan?
Yet Carl Sagan was neither the first or last unbeliever nor the only one who failed to see God’s glorious creation as just that – God’s creation.
Why do we not believe when God says, “BEHOLD!”
God’s creation is part of our history. His Story. Words matter as they speak life or death.
20 You will have to live with the consequences of everything you say. 21 What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words.
Proverbs 18:20-21 (GNT)
So I say this. I believe in the Big Bang Theory. I find it completely believable. Is that hypocritical of me to think this way and why do I?
Simple.
[Tweet “God said. “Let there be”… and BANG! It was B I G!”]
Big Bang Theory. Yep. Biblical style. Proof you want as a scientist?
[Tweet “Here’s the deal. God created. Science is simply the explanation for what God did.”]3 But the apostles stayed there a long time, preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord. And the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders.
Acts 14:3 (NLT)
And His ways are far beyond anything we can imagine. Yes, even someone as brilliant as Dr. Carl Sagan.
8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT)
And Dr. Sagan explored the heavens, extensively.
…we would have to know a great deal more about the universe than we do now to be sure that no such God exists. These are Dr. Sagan’s own words.
So yes indeed there are billions and billions of stars. And God hung each one in the sky and knows it by name. I can barely hang a picture straight! Is that you too?
Yet He knows your name and my name too. Do you know your name is carved in the palm of His hand?
16 See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.
Isaiah 49:16a (NLT)
I cried the first time I read this scripture. God knows ME?! And carries my name with Him in His glorious hand? ALWAYS?!
Yes, precious child of God. He knows you – individual you. He created you for a purpose – regardless of any issues, abandonment, misuse or abuse.
YOU HAVE A PURPOSE, you were created on purpose for this particular time. There is something that only YOU can do and the time is now.
So be still, know God and listen for His prompting.
Ask, seek, knock. And He will answer! Remember, we have not because we ask not. So ASK GOD what your purpose is and listen – expectantly.
We have the same power in us that God gave to the disciples to do miraculous signs and wonders – and the power that raised Christ from the grave. IN. US! To do even greater things than the disciples or even Jesus Christ did.
MIND BOGGLING!
Did a BIG BANG just explode in your head?
Here’s the deal. I can’t – yet He CAN! And will.
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
ALL things. Not by myself. It’s Christ who works through me. And through you too.
So ask, seek and knock. And expect to receive.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God!
Psalm 46:10a (NLT)
I love it when God whispers to our souls and through His Bible. Be still. Do you hear Him?
Let me ask you a question – Is it wishful thinking inspiring doubt, uncertainty and very little confidence indeed or the Truth of God’s Word you hear?
[inlinkz_linkup id=640117 mode=1] [Tweet “Join the DanceWithJesus linkup today. It’s a BIG BANG!”]
interesting point of view, Susan.. thanks for sharing it with #OMHGWW
So much inspiration Susan, thank you for always providing insight!
This post was really interesting to me today Susan. I find it so important to be able to carry on intellectually honest conversations with people, especially outside the faith. Ultimately it was the vast order of His creation that brought me to a stronger belief long ago. I’m so thankful for both His wonder, and the organized method of discovering Him that we call science!!
Me too Meg! So very thankful.
Mind boggling, beautiful, glorious, beyond my abilities to comprehend, yet I believe. God is Who He says He is and will always be. Hallelujah! I am His! Hallelujah!!
Amen, I am His too! That’s lovely Linda.
Great Post! A conversation I have last week was over the fact that there needed to be proof for the truth I spoke of. I shared with them Romans 1:20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. (NLT)
All are without excuse. That is steep. Thanks so much for sharing!
Steep! Sweet, Jaime. It was fun to research yet unsettling to see brilliant minds totally deceived…
What a great post, Susan! It really does amaze me, how people see creation. I remember reading about Charles Darwin looking at the feather of a peacock. He said the sight of it actually made him sick because it was so detailed and beautiful that he couldn’t understand it. To acknowledge God as the Creator would mean all of his years of work and research would mean nothing- it literally made him sick. I am agreement, Science is physical proof of what God created; it points back to Him. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us today! This was an interesting read!
Alisa, it blows my mind that any one of us think we know enough to deny a/our Creator. I can’t fathom hanging a picture straight let alone hanging the night sky. And that’s just one example, huh?!
I love how you tie all this together. The vastness of God and all He has done with the intimate love He has for each one of us….so small in this great big world. Sometimes small things are the Big things!
Yes indeed Becky, His smallest details infinitely matter. And that is GRAND! Oops. BIG!
It’s hard to imagine that people don’t see Master Design when looking at the universe … I love how Isaiah 40 describes God’s immensity and all He created … and yet He gives His strength to the weak.
Oh yes Dianne! It’s so beautiful to read, isn’t it? Hugs, Susan
Wonderful post today Susan. I find it hard NOT to believe in God when I look at the wonder of creation. So sad that those who do not believe are blinded to the truth. So sad that many of them are member of my own family.
Thank you for this link up. It, and YOU, are a blessing.
Patti
Patti,
Thank you sweet friend – you bless me!
I get what you are saying. I hear God promising salvation for my prodigal yet it’s on God’s timeline versus my “momma-time” line!
Wow! Short and encouraging piece here today, Susan. And Yes, through Christ we can do all things. Through Him alone we find the purpose of our calling.
I hope you are well?
God Bless and thanks for the linkup.
Thanks Ifeoma, I’m doing well. Moved into a new state, gutting a little house to remodel, living in a tiny 10×32 foot (3 meters by 10 meters) Fish Camp Cabin while we are renovating. Life is a GRAND adventure!
How are you? And God bless you, precious woman of God. Hugs, Susan
Great post, Susan! I love that He shows us glimpses of Himself in all He created. I stood outside and gazed heavenward last night. Each start hung and named . . . awesome! Blessings to you!
Gazing at the stars…He calls us out to witness His glory, doesn’t He, Deb?! Blessings to you too. Hugs, Susan
Our God is creative. He’s a God of details and always in control. Thank you for the encouragement especially all of the scripture that reminds us of His handiwork. Blessings
Thanks Stacey. Yes Creator God – immensely creative and GOOD. Hugs! Susan
Susan, I am always stopped in my tracks by the marvels of God’s creative work — on the macro level and on the micro level, everything He does demonstrates His massive power and His sovereign control of all things.
Amen, amen and amen, Michele! And we praise and thank God for His Divinity touching humanity. Hugs, Susan