2-24-20<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\nWe\nhumans \u2013 not me, but most of the rest of you \u2013 are inventing and\ninnovating to the point where I wonder whether we are near the time\nwhen anything we can imagine will be developed, named, and available\nnext week through Amazon Prime. Probably out-of-date the month\nafterward; but counterfeited by the Chinese next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nI\nknow that there are new microscopes that can see between the\nparticles that orbit around atoms, those little atoms. And telescopes\nthat can see hundreds of thousands of light-years away from us. All\nof this bemuses me, because I have questions in the face of such\nadvancements like, Why can\u2019t I<\/em>\nsee the fine print on my large-screen TV when commercials for\nmedicines and lawyers flash by?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nWell,\nI am not a scientist. Nor am I a theologian, but that doesn\u2019t keep\nme from thinking about God and the things of God. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nIn\nfact, maybe it is a good thing that I am not a theologian, because\nthose God-thinkers sometimes act like they have it all figured out.\nSince I<\/em>\ndon\u2019t have it all figured out, I keep thinking about God and the\nthings of God. Which is a good place to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nSometimes\nI feel like I live a little north of hell and a little south of\nHeaven, like most of us do at present. In the same way, knowing that\nI live somewhere between atoms and in a galaxy far, far away keeps me\nin perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nThinking\ntoo much, or too hard, about such things can make one\u2019s brain hurt.\nThe real lesson in humankind\u2019s inventions and discoveries is that\nwe learn that there always is more, and more, and more that we don\u2019t\nknow. That is axiomatic, perhaps, but when we contemplate how much we\ndon\u2019t know \u2013 that<\/em>\nis the beginning of wisdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nTo\nbe tempted to think humankind can be close to solving all the\nmysteries of atoms and galaxies, is a self-swindling delusion. We\nmight discover whether neutrons taste like vanilla, or whether\ndistant planets have the internet\u2026 but can we ever\n<\/em>know\nhow many atoms are in, say, a piece of wood? Or how many galaxies\nthere are? \u2013 astronomers vaguely estimate \u201cmillions,\u201d but,\nthen, each galaxy might have millions of stars and planets in them.\nAnd atoms!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nBut\nGod knows these things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nAre\nthey important facts? I suppose they are, to Him. Knowing the numbers\nof hairs on our heads, which the Bible imputes, is simple in\ncomparison, hey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nTo\nme, the most\n<\/em>amazing\naspect of God in a discussion like this is the astonishing variety of\nHis ways. The abundance and assortment of His wonders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nFor\ninstance (thanks, scientists, for determining the truth of the\nfollowing things!) \u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nThere\nare no two snowflakes alike. Linus thought he captured two, but they\nmelted. No, seriously, no two snowy doppelgangers<\/em>\nhave ever been found. And \u2013 now that those microscopes work so well\n\u2013 they are not all different, but each one is incredible,\nbeautiful, symmetrically constructed. Every last one of the\ngazillions in every snowstorm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nNo\ntwo cloud formations are alike. A heavenly display every day!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nNo\nfield of flowers, even of the same variety, looks like another; nor\nthe way one looked last week, or will look next week. Thank you, God!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nNo\nduplicated faces in the world\u2026 no smile is the same\u2026 every baby\u2019s\nlaugh is different \u2013 different every day; different than other\nbabies\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nLet\u2019s\ngo one step further, thinking about the \u201cuncountable\u201d aspects of\nGod. They are, in fact, reflections<\/em>.\nOur God is a God of infinite variety. His universe is interesting and\nbeautiful and compelling because He\n<\/em>is\ninteresting and beautiful and compelling. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nMany\nare His ways. Uncountable, in fact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nIf\nit were not so He would have told us. The gods and objects of\nveneration in other religions are statues and carvings and pictures\nand idols. Our God is<\/em>\nof infinite variety because He lives with each of us, every day in\nevery way. He is there every moment we need Him (and, by the way,\nalso when we think we don\u2019t). He came to earth and dwelt among us;\nHe lives in our hearts. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nAtoms,\ngalaxies, water-into-wine, are nothing. He could change your life and\neverything you hold dear. He did it for me; that\u2019s how I know. And\nthe\nlove of God is greater far than tongue or pen<\/em>\ncan ever tell. It goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the\nlowest hell. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \nThese\nfacts can make your brain hurt\u2026 but can make your heart glow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n