Originally Posted by Mike Young November 2005
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Psalm 8:3-4
…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, Ephesians 3:17-18
Last week I was in Denver for an NCMM (National Coalition of Men’s Ministries) Leadership conference. The experience was encouraging and enlightening on a number of levels. I have never been that far west so this was my first time seeing the plains of Kansas and Missouri as well as the Rocky Mountains. Some of you travel extensively and see these sights often so you may be conditioned to their greatness. As a first timer, my reaction was a predictable WOW! The plains stretched out as far as I could see from +/- 30,000 feet. The snow-capped Rockies were impressive and beautiful.
It’s difficult for me to grasp the breadth of our country. My e-ticket says that the trip covered around 1,600 miles.
If you paced yourself at 12 miles per day, it would take almost four and a half months to walk from Richmond to Denver.
Comparatively, the total flight time was approximately six hours. It’s amazing to me that we are able to travel so far in such a short period of time. In addition to considering the great distance traveled, I also considered the people who were represented by all the houses, apartments, farms, schools and businesses I saw.
Typically, we focus only on those people and things that are nearest us. We all have a sphere of space and personal contacts with whom we are familiar and think about most often. Personally, I have to admit that the sphere of things and people that I think about often is limited. It is enlightening and necessary from time to time to find new ways to consider the greatness of our world and the multitudes of people who are our fellow sojourners here.
I think it is also important for us to be reminded of the fact that God is in control, not only of the things and people we see routinely, but all things.
Consider these verses which reflect His sovereignty.
- In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1
- The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; Psalms 24:1
- And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” Isaiah 6:3
- He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Psalms 147:4
When one contemplates the vastness of not only the earth but the universe created by God, one might conclude that individuals are insignificant. As of Thursday, November 17th 14:37:47 EST 2005, the world population is estimated to be 6,499,940,857. (Click here to find the latest update.) How could God know or care about that many individuals? Well, because He’s God, Infinite, Eternal, Omnipotent and Omnipresent. In light of our focal passage, I think it’s also important for us to be reminded of His great love for us and his intimate knowledge of each individual.
- For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
- Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31
- How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1