Star Wars and Adam and Eve
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Ecclesiastes 8:16,17 NIV
When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe man's labor on earth--his eyes not seeing sleep day or night-- then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all his efforts to search it out, man cannot discover its meaning. Even if a wise man claims he knows, he cannot really comprehend it.
Man will never have the capability to know the mind of God. We never cease in our quest, though, to explore every molecule of His creation in order to more completely and thoroughly comprehend how it all works together to make up the universe. I have been an avid science fiction fan for many years. I remember years ago watching the show about the Robinsons in outer space with the robot that could sense danger, and always seemed to be able to get the family out of trouble at the last minute in a last ditch effort to save themselves.
I don’t remember why that family could get all over the universe, yet never find the way back to earth! Later, Star Trek and Star Wars became favorites. Now that all the mysteries of Star Wars have been revealed, I’m somewhat less than enthusiastic about science fiction. I guess I’m feeling as if we have exhausted our imaginations and now have only to wonder how close we have come to the truths of the universe.
The fact of the matter is, “no one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all his efforts to search it out, man cannot discover its meaning.” This reality does not prevent us from continuing our quest. This passion to know it all and to understand and explain it all was infused in us beginning with Adam and Eve. I don’t think they were tempted by Satan – I think they were the first of a long line of mere humans who longed to be like God; who ardently desired to comprehend his vastness and greatness. We lust after that likeness. That lust, that passion, that insatiable curiosity is what drives us to research the human body and mind, to explore space and the oceans, and even to simply sit and watch a sunset, or gaze up at the stars on a clear summer’s night.
Every time I think I’ve got God all figured out He reminds me I’m not even close! We can dissect the human body for a thousand more years; we can send ships farther and farther out into space; we can push the boundaries of human strength and endurance for a million more years. We still won’t be close to comprehending how God made us with a mere thought, breathed life into us, and made a place on earth for us at exactly the right time, in exactly the right place, with a specific and unique purpose.
How? We won’t fully know until we get to heaven. And I’m pretty sure we’ll be surprised when we get there!
My prayer today is that in your striving to understand the workings of God, you remember His son—another incomprehensible part of God’s mind. And that you rejoice in the truth that at the end of time, all will be understood.
Mary
