My Heavens! Lessons and Inspiration Not To Miss

Just five months ago, Jackie and I, along with millions more, were standing outside our home to see the total eclipse of the sun. Unfortunately, a complete coverage like this one doesn't happen very often. Here in Indiana it won't be until 2099 and I think we're going to be out of town.

That's too bad because it's a magnificent experience. In case you weren't in the right "path," a couple of amazing things occurred. One, once the sun was totally covered, we could look at it without special glasses. It appears as a big dot surrounded by a reddish halo. It's eerie but incredible. So is Taylor Swift for that matter, but that's for another time.

Second, the temperature dropped by 15-20 degrees. It was a warm day, but suddenly the air felt chilly, something most of us in the Midwest crave right now. And third, darkness took over our neighborhood making it look like it was time to head for the living room and get ready for bed.

In my mind, the works in the Heavens simply can't be described or even imagined to have happened randomly. No, my blog isn't the place to defend the argument. There are books, articles and experts, far more informed than me, who can detail why creation, at least intelligent design, is the only answer to not only our magnificent solar system, but the entire universe and life itself.

In fact, the idea of an infinite anything can't be supported without a starter, a beginning, a force beyond mankind to create it. But my focus today is for us who believe in that Creator and that God is the source of this wondrous beauty in our Heavens. Our guide for life among other things, the Bible, makes that clear. It doesn't treat it's existence as a theory or force. The Bible says God did it.

Isaiah 51:16, "And I have put my words in your mouth and hidden you safely in my hand. I stretched out the sky like a canopy and laid the foundations of the earth."

Psalm 33:6, "The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born."

Psalm 19:1, "The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship."

That's why we need to periodically stop and take notice. You see, eclipses, even partial ones are at a premium. But there are other events, just as amazing, to look at: sunrises, sunsets, cloud formations, storms, mountains, valleys, the list is well, close to infinite. But in a very powerful way we have proof all around us that God is real and big enough to handle everything we encounter.

And Jesus, who Scripture says was the supervisor of creation, (Colossians 1), also came to show us "God in the flesh," be our example of what real life can be and provide a way through his death and resurrection to be in the family of God . . . forever. The heavens in one sense are a daily sign and reminder that God is God, He is real and He loves the whole world. John 3:16.

What a welcome sign. We just have to respond. And if we already have then we can get a daily dose of encouragement that our faith in Him isn't in vain.

So, the sun will come up . . . tomorrow and the next day and the next. Take an extended look now and then at the heavenly images, day and night. There might be more there than you've noticed before. Just don't stare at the big, round fireball. Well, unless you're still around in 2099.