Betelgeuse is a a star classified as a "supergiant star", measuring about 1,400 times larger than our sun. It is a mind-blowing statistic and one that few of us can even imagine. It sits at the top-left of the constellation Orion and is currently burning around 150% brighter than normal. This means that someday soon ("soon" from an astronomical perspective), it will explode in a display clearly visible from earth. It is estimated that when it explodes, the remains will burn nearly as bright as our moon. It remains one of those astronomical events which is statistically unlikely to happen in our lifetime, but would be magnificent to witness.
Still, unless something divine happens, Betelgeuse will explode, it's remnants will begin to burn dim, and it will disappear into the long march of time like so many stars before it. It is humbling to think that something so huge, so massive, and seemingly permanent in our night sky could simply disappear. If it could disappear, how much more insignificant are we? And if something like this is so large, how much larger in our God?
The scale of our God is something that often goes unappreciated because of how personal and accessible he has made himself. That is why I have always loved this excerpt from Job...
31 “Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades? Can you loosen Orion’s belt? 32 Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons or lead out the Bear with its cubs? 33 Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you set up God’s dominion over the earth? 34 “Can you raise your voice to the clouds and cover yourself with a flood of water? 35 Do you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’? 36 Who gives the ibis wisdom or gives the rooster understanding? 37 Who has the wisdom to count the clouds? Who can tip over the water jars of the heavens 38 when the dust becomes hard and the clods of earth stick together? (Job 38:31-38)
God's scale is immense. He is bigger than anything we could comprehend and anything we could see as an obstacle. There is humility to be found in the scale of God, but also a great humility. How awesome of a God do we serve who is so big, but would still care about someone like me?
The scale of God's size, power, and might is immeasurable, but so is his love. Take comfort in knowing that the God bigger than the heavens is also the God who gave it all just to reconcile with you. If that isn't enough to prove to you that you are loved, nothing will be.
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