My five-year-old son asks A LOT of questions throughout the day. Lately he’s been intrigued by outer space. How big is our galaxy? Can you explain gravity? What makes up Saturn’s rings? Is God in outer space? As we contemplate and discuss the expanse of the universe and the details of God’s creation, I am in wonder at the majesty of it all. I am also very grateful that a search engine can be easily accessed and that his inquisitive mind is satisfied with my replies.
We downloaded an app on my phone that, when you hold it up to the heavens, displays the constellations in our part of the night sky. We had to wait until a few days later to finally use it because it had been cloudy. Evening came and we quickly slipped onto the deck and pointed the phone towards the cosmos. We admired the stars, looked for planets, and gave thanks for the fun we were having. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (New International Version, Ps. 19.1). This gift of the night sky and its beautiful display is one of the many ways I feel loved by God. It is a constant reminder to respond with thanksgiving and praise Him in all things, to open my eyes to His glory, to marvel at His handiwork, to stop and lift up my eyes, and to enjoy His good gifts.
I wonder what my children think as they gaze at the innumerable amount of stars and unending space. The world must feel so big and God seemingly far away because they cannot physically touch or see Him. They know Him as their Creator and Father who lives in heaven. The God we pray to and give thanks. The reason for church and Christmas and Easter. But what about the God who is right here? Herein lies the beautiful juxtaposition that this seemingly distant God of the entire universe actually yearns for a deeply intimate relationship. This omnipotent and omniscient God beckons us to call Him Abba Father, daddy. He is incredibly personal and a God that never leaves us. His love for us is as vast as the skies. He is God with us and there is nothing that can separate us from His love.
As we flow into the Easter season and reflect on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the love of God overwhelms me. Because of this unending and relentless love, He sacrificed his one and only son. Jesus took our place, our sin, and restored our relationship with the Father so we could become sons and daughters. This act of love is the spark that ignites the world; His love illumines the darkness. Jesus is the light of the world and to know Him is to know God. The night sky is certainly a sight to behold, but the gift of spending all of eternity with Him is the greatest gift we could ever receive.
When Jesus becomes the Lord of our lives and His love flows through us…and when the Word is in our hearts and we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us…our lives become light in the darkness. We shine as bright as stars in the night.
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13.35).
I am the tangible vessel of God’s love that my children can see and feel. It is His love reflected in me that will help them grow in the grace and knowledge of God- to point them to the One who is right here.
The Holy Bible, New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan House, 1984. Print.
Christi Carnell is a homemaker who previously taught second grade for many years. She is the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) Coordinator at New Kent Christian Center and serves as secretary on the Whole World Ministries board.
Christi graduated from Christopher Newport University with an Early Childhood Psychology degree and then furthered her education at the University of Richmond.
Christi resides in New Kent County with her husband, Scott, and their two children, Noah and Maeve. She loves spending time with her family and enjoying the outdoors.
