God of Earth and Outer Space

This week Rachel and I (and Mike along the way) have had two God moments.



The first was at the Winchester Intech Planetarium.  Being taken on a visual trip through the galaxy was stupendous.  We were all three of us awe struck.  

I came out thinking "right there is the wonder of God in all creation, who could doubt?"

Rachel in her five year old simplicity said aloud "God's amazing to make all that!"

Mike, well he was more struck with "how could God possibly worry about people if He made all everything?"



The second was on Avon Beach, just over the border from our flat, in Dorset.  We were there in the early evening with the beach all to ourselves.  

I was searching for round, smooth pebbles which I love to hold in prayer.  Rachel was collecting shells.  Mike was gazing out to sea.

After an hour, with my pile of pebbles and Rachel's pile of shells, we sat on the sea wall.  As I watched the sea and clouds and smelt the seaweed and felt the breeze, I knew God to be there.    With us, around us, in us.  And at that moment Mike said "peaceful isn't it" and Rachel just said "God will love your prayers on the stones mummy, on his stones."


So today, reflecting on this, a hymn from my teenage years came to my mind; a hymn that brings together these wonders of the week.

And here it is: 

God of earth and outer space, 
God of love and God of grace, 
Bless the astronauts who fly, 
As they soar beyond the sky. 

God who flung the stars in space, 
God who set the sun ablaze, 
Fling the spacecraft thro the air, 
Let man know your presence there.

God of atmosphere and air, 
God of life and planets bare, 
Use man’s courage and his skill 
As he seeks your holy will. 

God of depth and God of height, 
God of darkness, God of light, 
As man walks in outer space, 
Teach him how to walk in grace.

God of man’s exploring mind, 
God of wisdom, God of time, 
Launch us from complacency 
To a world in need of thee. 

God of power, God of might, 
God of rockets firing bright. 
Hearts ignite and thrust within, 
Love for Christ to share with men.

God of earth and outer space, 
God who guides the human race, 
Guide the lives of seeking youth 
In their search for heavnly truth. 

God who reigns below, above, 
God of universal love, 
Love that gave Nativity, 
Love that gave us Calvary

.

Amen.