The other morning, I had a mindset to get out of bed before dawn so I could see one of those rare celestial events. Right before sunrise, visible to the naked eye, we were supposed to be able to view Mars, Venus, and Jupiter in alignment with the moon. I should have set my alarm. I miscalculated, stepping outside to see a beautiful, rosy eastern sky – but no planets. The fingernail moon played hide-and-seek with the clouds. It was gorgeous, but not what I was hoping to see.

I do enjoy astronomy and pondering the universe. Our minds cannot comprehend the vastness of it all. Blend in a little dose of science fiction, “Trekkie” fandom, and my imagination soars on an odyssey of speculation. I don’t think it is unfaithful to at least give a passing, occasional thought to the possibility of other life forms. We can be safe in that when we accept that our Holy Bible was recorded by people with limited knowledge. I’m not saying there are aliens, but – what is the harm in wondering? Even today those with PhD’s in physics are stymied in trying to ascertain possibilities of other life forms, and what they might look like. The Drake equation, which is limited as well, can only theorize a probability beginning with only one fact that is determinate: there are 100 billion stars just in our own Milky Way galaxy. But then you have to consider how many of those stars have planets capable of sustaining life, whether it would have any sort of intelligence and ability to communicate; and considering that earthlings have only been able to put out transmission signals into space for a hundred years, and…does your brain hurt yet?

There are times when I lament how little I know. I have never been a “Brainiac”, but neither have I truly applied myself on a constant quest for getting, well, “brainier.” I have contented myself with the assurances that come from God’s Holy Word. The life-giving words of Jesus. Also, I believe that in the life of the world to come, all will become known. We have all the knowledge we need to be fully effective people. Intelligence is all well and good, and we should never cease learning new things. Our minds, plus our souls and bodies, are needed in the fullest actualization we can offer. I pray that I will not give in to the sloth of underachievement. I also pray, for you and for me, that we never lose our sense of wonder. Let people call you wacky for having Isaac Asimov and Carl Sagan on your bookshelf alongside Max Lucado and Billy Graham. Let this one certain piece of knowledge guide you: God loves you unconditionally.

Pastor Art