The Blue Jewel Called Earth

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every activity under heaven.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NLT)

In Genesis we read that God created the sun, moon and stars not only to provide light here on earth but also for “signs, seasons and for days and years.” As we think about this amazing blue jewel that we call home and wonder at our 24 hour day, 365 day year and the four seasons that are brought about by the tilt of the earth (23.5 degrees), and its interaction with the sun; we just have to stand in awe of this amazing orderliness in a universe that seems filled with disorder and, as far as we know, filled with barren and uninhabited planets.

Our great God declares that this planet was created “to be inhabited!” Notice—“For the Lord is God, and he created the heavens and earth and put everything in place. He made the world to be lived in, not to be a place of empty chaos. ‘I am the Lord’ he says ‘and there is no other.’” (Isaiah 45:18 Italics mine).

Our precious home is a gift from the hand of a loving Father.  Everything here on planet earth was designed to nurture us, sustain us, delight us and bring us great joy as we journey through life. And what is the purpose of all these blessings that we probably take for granted? Solomon wrote; “God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. So I concluded that there is nothing better than to be happy and to enjoy themselves as long as they can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labour, for these are gifts from God.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11-13).

That might be true but we were also created to look beyond this physical life, beyond the daily occurrences to a life that has no end; a time of eternity with our God. To also seek him and to give thanks for all these blessings here and now; to tell him what part of nature we like most, how much we enjoy sunsets, waterfalls, clouds, trees, the beach, the night sky with all its myriads of stars. Let’s draw close to him who inhabits eternity (Isaiah 57:15) and finally, to thank him for being not only powerful but also personal. He is after all, the One who wants to share the universe with us for all eternity!

Prayer
Great Creator God, thank you for our beautiful blue planet home and for all the wonderful and amazing gifts you have given because of your great love or us. Help us accept them with gratitude and deep joy as we seek you and look ahead to the eternity you have promised to share with us.
Amen

Study by Cliff Neill

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About the Author:
Cliff Neill is an Elder in Grace Communion Church Luton.

Local  Congregation:
Grace Communion Church Luton
Farley Hill Methodist Church
North Drift Way
Farley Hill
LUTON LU1 5JE

Meeting Time:
Saturday 10:30am

Local Congregational Contact:
Harry Sullivan
Phone:  01908-582222
Email: harry_sullivan@wcg.org.uk