God’s Amazing Universe and the Origin of Us!

Philosophers debate to explain it.  

Scientists hypothesize to define it.  

Archeologists dig to expose it.  

Storytellers create to make sense of it. 

What is it? It is the origin of us.  

As David, the shepherd and king, studied the night sky, he too wondered about our origin.  Admittedly, when compared to the majesty of the heavens, we may seem a bit trivial and insignificant. Afterall, our sun, and even our galaxy, are just one in billions of others like them.  The size of the universe is a field of study with constant updates.  Even the composition of the universe, made up of less than 5% known matter, ~27% dark matter, and ~68% dark energy  according to NASA, is mind-boggling.  Especially when you consider we are still unsure what dark matter and dark energy are. How do we even fit into this equation?

For some, this leads to the conclusion that our species, including our home planet, are unexceptional.  There must be odds that favor the existence of other intelligent beings in habitable planetary systems.  The Fermi Paradox, which asks “where are the aliens?” and the Drake Equation, N = R* × fp × ne × fl × fi × fc × L, which estimates the number of possible other intelligent civilizations in our galaxy, according to an article published by the Planetary Society, are still being investigated by scientists hoping to answer the question of exceptionality in this expanse of time and space.

Which leads us back to David’s question in Psalm 8:4, “What is man that you are mindful of him?” When you consider the universe, the vastness, and magnificence of it all, does that God have time for us?  And more importantly, is it He that is responsible for our existence in this universe? I believe the inspired words from Genesis 1:1 through Revelation 22:21 provide a resounding YES to both questions. 

As we continue to learn more about our lives, our construct as humans, the dynamics of our solar system, and even the on-going activity in the universe, there remains one reassuring thought for believers. We serve an awesome God, and our origin is tied to Him.

“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” - Colossians 1:16-17 (NKJV)