Unconfined

Alan Fitzsimmons, astronomer, took this self-portrait. I don’t have a clue as to what he’s thinking as he looks toward the center of our Milky Way galaxy, but I’m awestruck by the concept of Creator.

Ours is not the only galaxy in the universe. Contemplating the ability required to set in motion the movement of a grain of sand upon one beach in our world within one solar system moving in concert with so many others in one galaxy, most of us cannot comprehend limits to the universe. Some do, and there are artist’s versions of those concepts. We have no confirmation of the universe’s limits, no empirical evidence beyond our physically limited observable experiments, accepted as scientific truth. If “A” is true under this set of conditions then laws of physics have shown “A” to be true throughout the galaxy, the universe.

We believers accept a Creator capable of setting the universe in motion, confining it by those laws of physics, yet He is unconfined by His creation. We also believe He knows each and every soul that inhabits – and has inhabited – His creation. Such belief can be overwhelming when we consider His own words:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

Doesn’t seem rational, does it? How can mankind stand and look at the center of a small galaxy and conceive of a single Creator, a monotheistic concept? Wouldn’t it be difficult to write:

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Genesis 1:1 KJV)

How much more difficult to write:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:1-3 KJV)

Reasoning people consider such words delusional – even today, when mankind has moved through the Age of Enlightenment of the 18th century, Transcendentalism of the 19th, past Existentialism of the 20th - each stressing the individual; or the opposite - placing a governmental agent to oversee that the individual experiences display equality, whether it be Marxist or Socialist. Philosophies and governments swing through centuries.

The inspired writings of those who believe there was, is and shall be God who, in our beginning created, have been compiled, verified as well-copied over centuries and remain available, speaking of itself:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV)

It is not to be read and ignored. It is to be studied, believed, used to set personal standards, taught to others – and it should inspire us to accomplish good works.

Now, if all of that remains overwhelming, add that John 3:16 is fulfillment of an earlier prophecy:

And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. (Genesis 22:8 KJV)

God provided Himself, for me. And, you. In the midst of a small solar system in a huge universe that does not confine Him. Awesome!