Last week while on vacation I read a book that really has me thinking and looking to the stars and sky. I read a book by Matt Redman and Louie Giglio called Indescribable: The Glory of God in the Beauty of the Universe. In the book they have breath taking pictures from space but more than that they make great connections between the universe, astronomy, and God. If you have opportunity it is a really good read.
I wanted to share a quote from the book that has been rattling around my mind now for several days. In Chapter 5 Matt Redman writes:
Here we stand in an age that is thirsting for wonder. In our information-overloaded society, there seems to be no room left for mystery and fascination. Yet just when were tempted to shrink God down to size – or kick Him out of the the equation all together – there in front of our eyes stands the wonder of His universe. A great big, awe-inspiring reminder of just who we are dealing with.
Worship has no room for “know-it-alls.” The soul who lives in the ordinary and mundane will rarely aspire to climb higher in praise. And reverence for God will never flow freely from a heart that shrinks Him down to earthly proportions. God makes worshippers out of wonderers. – location 589 Kindle Fire.
I read that and then had to reread it. I am guilty of shrinking God down to earthly proportions. I have times when I see situations bigger than God who made this giant universe. I have times when I live in the ordinary and I am satisfied with my level of praise of God when it falls far short of what it needs to be. Then I also have times when I am reminded of how big and awe-inspiring the universe really is and I wonder at it and I worship the creator of it.
Alert Einstein said, “He …. who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is a good as dead”. Job 37:14 says, “Stop and consider God’s wonder’s”. Let us not be dead but let us stand in wonder and in awe at the Creator and all He has made and let us worship that creator – Jesus Christ.
Any thoughts on the quote? Do you stop and wonder at what God has made?
The second paragraph of that quote stopped me in my tracks Jim. I just reread it to see if there was something that really hit me and I can’t highlight any one part.
That second paragraph was the one that really struck me too Bill.
Great post. I have never read that book, but have seen some really good videos by Louie Giglio. I remember camping years ago with a church group, and about midnight there were just a few of us left up. It was a clear night with no light pollution anywhere, and we listened to a sermon tape about the vastness of the universe and how amazingly it was designed. I was so inspired by that message, and your post brought me right back there. Thanks!
My pleasure Mike. I am glad that God used it to refresh thoughts – I have recently seen some things by Louie Giglio that are really good. Check the book out – I think you would really love it,
I like that worship is not just an experience but a lifestyle. I’m beginning to think that it’s not the person who buries his face in scripture all day long that wins, but the one who can put a “face” on that which we read day in and day out. Crazy to put limits on the miracle maker. The one who considers Himself omnipotent and the one who we give our puny and fragile lives to. He’s worth it. For sure!
I agree that worship is a lifestyle and that it is crazy that we put limits on a God who created everything. He is definitely worth it!