Creator

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:1

The other day as my son was listening to the TV he heard one of the current evangelists say that Jerusalem is in the middle of the earth. His nine-year-old mind told him that in science he had read that since the earth's shape is a geoid (earth-like) whereever we may stand if we take a measurement we will be standing approximately at the middle of the earth. How far should science and faith be seen as one? Does Jerusalem being the center of earth still have any spiritual significance to our faith in Christ? Christ should be the center of all our lives. Jesus says in John 4:24, "God is a Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth."

The speed at which the earth is rotating around its axis is around 1000 miles per hour. The speed at which it is moving on the 940 million kilometer orbit around the sun is around 67000 miles per hour. The earth has many unique qualities, as it is the only planet with water on it which maintains temperature and atmospheric pressure. The atmosphere of the earth is unique because it has oxygen in it which is the environment for life and growth. It is mind boggling to think that God could get every detail of creation into order for the humongous task of creating the heavens and the earth. Can we ever determine His infinite understanding, authority, wisdom, and power?

Can we even try to understand the importance of a God who created heaven and earth? Do we realize, that beyond the earth, even today, we do not know for sure if any form of life exists? God had a plan, He was going to create a new world, where human beings and heavenly beings could dwell. He not only determined the speed at which the earth would rotate around its axis but also the environment that would sustain life. Some of the finest scientific minds in science such as Isaac Newton, Charles Babbage, Louis Pasteur, Blaise Pascal, Robert Boyle and so on have affirmed that God must have created the heavens and the earth. Can there ever be a real debate on creation versus science? Did the world just come into existence with a great big bang?

The Bible makes us all pause to be in awe of this God who made all of the world and humankind? Only a mystical power could possibly have been responsible for the creation of matter, energy, space, and time. In the world we live in, there is matter and energy that can be perceived with our natural senses, spirits through spiritual senses, and a large and infinite part which goes unknown. We as humans know our limitations, and know for sure that principalities and powers that are superior to us are at work. But we always want to perceive the natural reality we live in and do not want to stretch our imagination beyond to that which is impenetrable, to no purpose in the real or unknown world.

Today scientists look into their Hubble Space Telescope to explore the formation of galaxies during the first 900 million years after the Big Bang. Science is a constantly changing, and what is known today can easily be disproved tomorrow. Take for example the nine planets in the solar system. I grew up learning that there are nine planets, but today it is breaking news in the scientific world that there are only eight planets.

Our Creator is an unchanging God. His word is truth and understanding to those who are willing to believe. Is the story of creation an oral tale or the truth? It is for us to pray and reflect over these issues and come to an understanding. Moses was very clear when he said that, “It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.” (Ex. 31:17) Our lives should have a contemplative approach to Christian living. They should be based upon a commitment to a balance between work and rest. Jesus led a life with times for rest, solitude, and silence (Matthew 14:22:23). We are also called to lead lives committed to serving those in need. It is in so doing that we find strength and purpose in our fast changing cyber society. When we honor the Sabbath, we are enabled to be more in tune with our hearts and souls, more conscious of the Spirit of God, and more open to building communities of love.