Alone in the universe - lent 2024

A few years ago I took this photo. It is the steeple of Oaks Christian Church on Bethlehem St., Houston. The words came from a prayer I had been praying and the response I felt.

"And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."
~ John 10:16

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Last summer when the James Webb telescope suddenly started sharing photos that none of us could have imagined about what our universe looks like, I suddenly began to imagine what it means to be a child of God in the universe.

When I began to realize just how complex the universe actually is, and that there is absolutely no way for us to fathom just how "big" the universe is, I sat back and simply thought, "God, you are amazing."

For so many, the understanding of eternity can really cause one to sit and ponder, and then to add the question, "How large is the universe?" It can cause one to almost cave!

For me, I still remember back to when I was seven years old, and being told by my pastor, Rev. Mangold, that "Todd, no matter what, I hope you know that Jesus will always love you."

I had forgotten his words to me until I had COVID and found myself face to face with my own mortality.   All of a sudden the size of the universe and the timelessness of eternity was met by my own faith, or lack of.  I let my own wandering interfere with the journey.  

I had forgotten that eternity for me began the moment I believed and trusted in Jesus.  When Rev. Mangold told me that Jesus would always love me.  In that moment it was as if I were seven all over again, and I believed.  The pictures from the Webb confirmed just how God loves each of us, to consider the size of the universe, with a vast number of galaxies, I suddenly didn't feel alone, or that God did not know me.  If anything, I realized the importance that each one of us has in the creation.  

I no longer "worried" if God knew I was here, or if eternity would pass me by.  I was already living fully into the heart of God.  The Jesus that I was told would always love me still was true today, and that eternity began for me over fifty years ago when I simply believed.

I love that Jesus shares that there are "other sheep not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd."

Heaven, like the universe, will be vast, and full of surprises!

Stay in God's grip!
Todd

copyright 2024 Rev. G. Todd Williams