I met with our church book club for the first time. I am an avid reader, but have never belonged to a book club, however their book selection of Neil deGrasse Tyson's Astrophysics for People in a Hurry, both excited and intrigued me.
I also attended a devotional group that meets once a month to share their favorite devotionals. One member read a devotional about reverence, the importance of trying to wrap our minds around the character of God- His omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent character.
These were the thoughts I was left with.....
It is a shame that religion is afraid of science. I suppose it is understandable from a historical point of view; the catholic church was trying to rule the world and could not afford to be challenged by anything! But for that mind set to still exist in the twenty-first century is, in my opinion, sad. At the same time, it is also sad that science doesn't recognize God.
I believe God is a scientist and understanding science makes my faith in Him stronger.
Let me try explain with these two thought processes and some accompanying scripture.
I. God creates a daffodil. Daffodils are beautiful. They bring the promise of life into the winter season. Each year we are reminded by the daffodil that in His vast creation of the universe, God shows His love for us through simple gifts. When I look at a daffodil my heart is humbled and filled with His love for me.
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you - you of little faith?" (Matthew 6: 28-30)
II. God creates a daffodil. God sustains the daffodil through the process of photosynthesis using light to produce life. This process not only sustains the daffodil but the flora of all the ecosystems of the world- forests, deserts, savannas. The process of transpiration from the leaves of these plants, returns water to the atmosphere. The water cycle moves life-giving water through our planet with the processes of convection, evaporation, and condensation. Rain is pulled toward the earth by the force of gravity. Gravity and water work together with heat to fuel the rock cycle that creates for us the firm foundation of our earth. In the elements of the rocks of earth, are found the same elements dispersed throughout our universe. That universe is not random, but governed by scientific truths that prove themselves to be unfailingly consistent and faithful- gravity, mass, density, speed, light.
" When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8: 12)
"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." (John 7:38)
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine is like a wise man who built his house on the rock." (Matthew 7:26)
"Jesus answered, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'". (John 14:7)
"The works of His hands are faithful and just; all His precepts are trustworthy." (Psalm 111:7)
I am not saying that one of these examples is better than the other. I am saying that for me, understanding the scientific processes and forces supporting the daffodil reveal a glimpse of the wisdom, power, and might of God. Science is the portal through which I can develop a reverence for God's character. Reverence is a deep respect tinged with awe. The boundless interlocking truths of the cosmos surround us with the omnipotent (having unlimited power), omniscient (all-knowing), omnipresent (all-pervasive) character of God. And the fact that this awe-inspiring God loves us and sent his Son to die for the forgiveness of our sins in order to make possible a restored relationship with Him is the truly awesome part of the story!!
Until tomorrow,
Shelli
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