This is the Whirlpool Galaxy, located approximately 31 million light-years away from the Milky Way, and containing hundreds of billions of stars (each of them named by God).
This image was taken by the Hubble Telescope, looking into the core of the black hole at the center of the Whirlpool Galaxy ... and when I first saw it, two things happened: 1) an overwhelming sense of awe came over my spirit and I sat in silence with tears in my eyes, and 2) verses from the Bible that I had learned or memorized about God's sovereignty and eternal plan came to my mind.
If you haven't heard Louie Giglio's presentation "Indescribable," you should, because it is powerful -- here's the YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ffFw8_vsa0.
But what I want to share with you are just a few of the thoughts and meditations of my heart as I look at this awesome juxtaposition (placing together for comparison or contrast) of majesty and humility.
Colossians 1:15-20 is a description of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ, and in verse 17 it clearly states that "in Him all things consist (are held together)." In verses 19-20 it says that it pleased God the Father "that in Him [Jesus Christ] all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself...having made peace through the blood of His cross."
God clearly reveals Himself through His marvelous creation -- Psalm 19 states that "the heavens declare the glory of God" and "the skies proclaim the work of His hands" -- but He chose to display His majesty and divine authority through the humility of the cross. And He placed the cross in a hidden place deep in the center of a star-studded galaxy so that when people discovered it, they would be humbled by how simply and profoundly our powerful God proclaims His majesty.
2 Corinthians 4:6 states that the "God who commanded light to shine out of darkness...has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." Verse 7 goes on to say that "we have this treasure (the knowledge of God's glory through Jesus Christ) in earthen vessels, so that the excellence of the power will be of God and not of us."
I don't know about you, but I'm humbled to know that God has chosen to reveal His majesty through such a weak and imperfect vessel as a fallible human being. He does this in a multitude of ways, and I just want to share a few with you that came to mind:
- Nick Vujicic - a man born with no arms and no legs, who needs help to complete the most basic of day-to-day tasks, through his humility has been given the opportunity to declare the majesty and life-changing power of God to millions of people around the world.
- Fanny J. Crosby - who went blind at the age of 18 months and endured various trials including the loss of her child, in her later years wrote more than 500 hymns. These songs, for which she has become famous, were born out of a humble and deeply intense relationship with her Saviour and the focus of every one is to proclaim His majesty and greatness.
- The persecuted church - in countries around the world, believers must meet in secret due to the risk of arrest, imprisonment, torture and even death for their faith in Jesus Christ, but they do. These churches are growing exponentially despite the intense persecution they face and even sending missionaries abroad. It is through their humble state that the majesty of God is magnified a thousandfold.
- A young woman with a heart for needy children and a willingness to obey a missionary calling takes on the challenge of learning one of the world's hardest languages. It is a long and sometimes frustrating process, during which she has made many mistakes, but as she humbly admits that she cannot do it on her own and trusts in God for her strength and ability, He displays His majesty by giving her the ability to communicate well in a language she has only studied for 9 months!
In what ways have you seen the glory and majesty of God displayed in your life?
What humbling circumstances has God brought to you to remind you that it is His power working through you that makes all the difference?
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside
every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance
the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross (great humility), despising the shame,
and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (great majesty).
~ Hebrews 12:1-2 ~