God Talks too much!
Posted on February 5, 2009
Filed Under A Geek's Guide to the Scriptures, All things Narnia, Generally Spiritual (few if any geek references) | 1 Comment
author’s note: this article was originally sent as an email to a prayer team on 9/14/2004, but for some crazy reason, I never put it on this site. So, here you go…
Verbose: adj : using or containing a great and usually excessive number of words; wordy.
I am going to guess that most of you are familiar with Dave Barry and maybe even Bill Bryson. I marvel at the humor and insight in their articles (although at times their works need some redemption). The circulation of their articles via major newspapers, books, and of course their blogs fits rather well into the category of “massively ubiquitous.” Their books are so successful that they have even achieved the pinnacle of literary success: being sold in airport gift shops.
They are a comfort to me in that their articles tend to run into the 1000+ word range. In other words, their rambling and verbose styles are never “to the point.” Hmmm… reminds me of a certain deity I know… Barry and Bryson are masters at the art of the whimsical tangent — I love that stuff. They prove that a verbose writing style can be very successful. All you need is an interesting and/or witty topic and be really talented. (Ah,…well, yes…. right. guess I better get out the proverbial “red pen” right away. Brief is good, CF, Brief is good….)
Is brief, and to the point the only way to live in this world? Is there no way to redeem what I will claim as the spiritual gift of wordiness? If not, then I’m toast…. all is lost, I might as well stick all my typing fingers into a hot waffle iron right now, all three of them.
But lengthy, rambly articles (and other forms of communication) must still have value in this “net it out” world. For verbose, whimsical tangents can be very joyous. And they reflect the creative nature of God. Really, it’s true. Allow me to prove that I can dig up a spiritual rationalization for my rambling ways. It may take a little effort, but I know I can do it.
Allow me to start with two very important questions.
Question #1: how many stars are there in our galaxy?
Question #2: how many galaxies are there in the known universe?
OK, one more question: what’s the sum of answer #1 and answer #2?
The answer is: Some-outrageous-number-that-makes-my-brain-hurt-to-even-try-to-contemplate-it. Lee Strobel himself would have difficulty trying to illustrate such a number in a way that every day dudes like me can grasp.
OK, I know that some of you are dying to know the answer, so here it is: The number of stars in the galaxy is an estimated 200 to 400 Billion. And, the number of galaxies in the known universe is around 300 Billion, give or take a few bil’. So, are you getting a migraine yet?
Do you suppose that God got a little carried away when He created the universe and all that is in it? What in the world … er, rather universe… moved Him to create so many stars?? The answer is simple: He was crazy. I’m serious. God was Crazy to create so many stars, crazy in love with each and every one of us.
Psalm 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God.” Wow. Do they ever! So many stars and their most important “assignment” is to declare God’s glory to us. And the central theme of God’s glory is that He loves us.
Now, be honest. Don’t you think that saying “I love you” with somewhere in the neighborhood of 90,000 Billion “Valentines” (a.k.a. stars) is a little verbose? Obviously God doesn’t think so.
But wait! There’s more!
I look at the stars and think “Lord, truly you have a dizzying intellect”
God: wait till I get going!
For all the rest of nature declares His glory too. Consider if you can all of the species of insects crawling through and buzzing over our planet, or all of the species of animals on this earth, or the birds of the air, or the vast array of creatures in the sea, or the numbers of cells in your body, or the astonishing way in which your eye was designed, or the intricate and amazing design of your hands, or the undeniable complexity of your immune system…. I could go on and on (and you know I can.)
God’s creation is nothing short of a lavish gift to us, and that’s an understatement. And what does this outlandish gift “say?”
Psalm 19 (again) –”I am here” and “My glory is immeasurable” and “I love lavishing gifts on you, gifts that draw you to Me.”
Romans 1 — “I am holy and just.”
Colossians 1:16– “Jesus is the power behind the creation.”
Next time you look at the stars, or feel the beat of your heart remember: Revelation 22:7 — “I am coming back for you. I want you to be with Me forever.” When God endeavors to express His love for us through His creation, through the Church, and above all through His Son, He can get pretty “verbose” can’t He?
SO, GOT 5 MINUTES? What say we all slow down for just minute and reflect on all that God is saying to us. And, how about we all get a little “verbose” back to God and thank Him for all that He does for us and above all for His Son.
Just read this on Feb 13… a day before Valentine’s day. How appropriate I should “by coincidence” decide to visit your site and read this one article. There’s probably many ways to reflect on how God demonstrates his love for us. You beautifully captured how God’s creation and all the intricacies and details convey his love for us. Hope this was verbose enough.