When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him? (Psalms 8:3-4 ESV)
Dr. Stephen Hawking was considered one of he most brilliant minds in the field of theoretical physics. He was an atheist and stood firm on his belief that there was no God. Mr. Hawking made a statement that plucked on my heart strings for a while. I read an article composed by Jamie Ducharme entitled "Stephen Hawking Was an Atheist - Here's What He Said About God, Heaven, and His Own Death" found on the Time website.
I am paraphrasing here but he was questioned on his use of the word "God". Mr. Hawking stated he used the term "God" because that is the name people used as an excuse for our existence. He stated there was no need for a "God" to create the universe because the laws of physics created the universe. In essence, Hawking considered the laws of physics as "God".
Considering the laws of physics are... well, just laws... his definition of "God" leaves no room for a loving, personal god. Hawking concluded the "God" he was referring to was an impersonal God with whom we cannot have a personal relationship with.
And then BOOM.
Looky, what I stumbled upon...
I stumbled across Psalms 8 written by King David. King David expressed his appreciation for the workmanship of the stars and the moon. Much like Hawking, King David also found it odd that God would consider us mere humans given the staggering beauty and vastness of the universe. It appears both King David and Stephen Hawking could not fathom having a personal God given how minuscule we are in comparison to the grand scheme of it all.
Yet, the difference between King David and Stephen Hawking is that King David understood just how insanely great the love of God must be. King David knew that God's magnitude of love must be exceedingly magnificent if He can consider us in comparison to the mind-blowing beauty of the universe. God looks right past the beauty of the universe and sees beauty in us!
He values us as His most beautiful creation, not the universe. I don't recall reading in the bible how much God loves the moon and the stars. But it is mentioned repeatedly how much He loves us. The last time I checked Jesus didn't die for the moon and the stars... He died for us. He died simply because He loves and cares for us so much. If that isn't a personal, loving God then I don't know what is.
The fact that He considers little 'ol me and you out of all the beauty in the world and universe is quite astonishing. It is such an honor and a privilege to have God recognize us. Bare in mind that the same hands that created the never-ending beauty of the universe also created you. Thus, the same hands that created beauty in the earth created beauty in you. May I add considering that He values you more than the universe, it should go without saying that the beauty in you actually exceeds the beauty in the universe.
So, the next time you are gazing at the beauty in the heavenly skies, remember two things.
1.) God loves you more than the universe... literally!
2.) There is more beauty within you then there is in the skies above.
Don't be bashful. Let that sink in. You are beautiful. Yes you! With your beautiful self! Not beautiful as the world defines it, but beautiful as God defines it. God's definition holds just a little bit more weight don't you think?
So, sit in your truth and own it.
You are beautiful.
Not because I said so but because God said so...
and God always has the final say.
That's all folks! Be blessed, be encouraged, and stay beautiful!
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