Patti Richter, On Faith: God’s Great Big, Wonderful World

ROCKWALL COUNTY, TX (Sept. 26, 2022) Kids returning to school will no doubt learn some amazing things their parents never knew or else have forgotten. Some of us could benefit from studying along with them, suspending part of our daily grind in exchange for a bit of amazement over this big world.

History’s appeal increases as we age since we’ve lived through some events now deemed historical. We might wish we’d paid more attention to famous figures and wars we now realize weren’t so different than current ones. At least the motives that drove them haven’t changed. The observant King Solomon noted that “what has been done is what will be done; and there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9*).

The study of science should also interest those of us long removed from the classroom. We’ve experienced miracles, after all, especially the birth of those kids, who from a single cell turned into sprinters, artists, math whizzes, and musicians. And some became researchers and explorers.

Psalms 107:23-24 says, “Some went down to the sea in ships, … they saw the deeds of the Lord, his wondrous works in the deep.”

One team of scientists comprised of zoologists, oceanographers, and marine biologists worked for nearly a decade toward the goal of finding a certain monster in the deep North Pacific Ocean. They “went down to the sea” with a manned submersible.

In 2012, about 600 miles south of Tokyo, that team made around 100 dives and used a lure to mimic the bioluminescent light of a jellyfish. Then they turned off their submersible lights and waited. Finally, they came face-to-face with the object of their long search: a super-size squid.

The silver- and gold-colored creature appeared before them at a depth of 2100 feet (640 meters). With eyes as big as dinner plates, it could absorb light in its deep-water habitat. An underwater camera captured live footage as the squid wrapped its arms around the bait for 20 minutes before letting go. The 26-foot squid—about the size of a 3-story house—had an estimated 10-foot-long body and 16-foot tentacles.

Another group of scientists, also seeking “wondrous works in the deep,” worked together for over 25 years on the James Webb space telescope. On December 25^th of 2021, they launched the more than 10-billion-dollar infrared machine on its journey to view the universe. Along with gathering never-before-seen images, these scientists hope to discover how the world began.

While scientific research and tools serve to heighten our sense of wonder about our world, the apostle Paul warned of those who are “always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7).

Though knowledge is wonderful, truth is of greater value since it leads us to glorify God as we behold images of his works. God’s word clearly tells us how the world came into existence:

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).
“[The Lord] determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names” (Psalm 147:4).
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him…. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…. Jesus Christ” (John 1:1-3, 14, 17).

So, while science continues to shed more light on God’s world, and while history continues to record the effects of humanity’s sinfulness in it, the older among us must teach the younger of God’s great power and his perfect plans.

*ESV Bible

By Patti Richter. Patti writes and edits Christian faith articles and has co-authored Signs of His Presence: Experiencing God’s Comfort in Times of Suffering (March 2019). Read more of her essays at blueribbonnews.com/category/faith.