By Troy Murphy

The Helix Nebula (pictured above) is a large planetary formation in the constellation of Aquarius, and at about 700 light years away is one of the closest nebula to Earth. In recent years the nebula has been given the nickname ‘The Eye of God’ because of its characteristic optical shape.

When I was a young boy I would sometimes ask permission to sleep in our backyard with my little brother and we could look into the stars and wonder. We would often just lay quietly gazing as if we were drifting into the stars like we were space travelers. At some point in my youthful imagination an awkward feeling of fear would come over me as I tried to comprehend the vastness of space. I could not understand that there was no known end to the galaxy. It had no end. 

I realize that when it comes to God and trying to comprehend the vastness of his creation, it extends beyond our ability to know. When I cannot understand something it brings a feeling of weightiness.

The scriptures are filled with examples of this idea that the vastness of God and his creation are bigger than we can understand. This feeling of weightiness is described as glory.

The words in both the Hebrew and Greek draw us into the idea that glory is something that starts deep within us that expresses a splendor of greatness toward God. Glory is more than words or religious acts. It cries out from a deep weightiness that is felt when we begin to understand the endless nature of God. Creation brings the splendor without saying one word.

Psalm 19

1  The heavens declare the glory of God;

    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

2  Day after day they pour forth speech;

    night after night they reveal knowledge.

3  They have no speech, they use no words;

    no sound is heard from them.

4  Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,

    their words to the ends of the world.

   In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.

5  It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,

    like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

6  It rises at one end of the heavens

    and makes its circuit to the other;

    nothing is deprived of its warmth.

I am struck with Rick Warren's first line in today's reading, “The ultimate goal of the universe is to show the glory of God.” I cannot help but believe that my ultimate goal should be the same. My life should have a deep spiritual weightiness about the wonder of God that I cannot help but bring him glory.

The diameter of the known universe is 93 billion light years. The number of stars in the Milky Way is 200-400 billion. One light year is 5.87 trillion miles. The closest spiral galaxy, Andromeda Galaxy, is 2.5 billion light years away. The estimated number of galaxies is 100 billion. The number of discovered planets in the Milky Way are 350. The closest star to earth, Proxima Centauri, is 4.24 light years away. Feel the wonder, the weightiness?

Today I sit and gaze into the depth of a Father that loves me and placed me in an endless universe. I feel heavy. I sense wonder. I give him glory.

Troy Murphy is lead pastor at Green Bay Community Church