June 11, 2009

A Grain of Sand


The world is so complex. In the beginning God made the world in a state of perfection. In Genesis it says that God was pleased with all of his creation. But sin entered and cursed everything. Today, when we look at the world we see so much sorrow and suffering. Things are not as God wanted them to be.
The Bible says that the world and all creation moans for his return and for when he will make everything new again, the way he intended from the beginning. But even though things are not right at the moment the world is still so tragically beautiful!

The whole world, even the entire universe, belongs to God and one day he will return.

" The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it, for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters." Psalms 24:1

The world is complex but I believe it is this way because God, the creator, is so deeply complex. Everything he creates has symmetry and beauty and it astounds the human mind to think that his creativity is endless.

The beauty and wonder of God can be seen everywhere! Even in something as inconsequential as a single grain of sand.



Don't believe that a grain of sand is anything special? Take a look at the following photographs taken by Dr. Gary Greenberg.









These photos are samples taken from beaches all over the world! And to think about how so much beauty is on one beach and how I step in it completely oblivious to the wonder of it all... it just blows my mind! How could anything so beautiful be random or unimportant! Looking at these photos, I am amazed at how detail oriented God is. They tell me so much about his character and how carefully he involves himself with us in our own lives. How could I ever question what he allows to happen in my life?

" For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

Dr. Gary Greenberg is a talented, brilliant photographer who combines art with science. He has a PH.D. in biomedical research from the University of London and holds 17 patents for high-definition 3-D light microscopes. And he lives in Haiku Hawaii.
A very blessed life indeed! And so I thought with all these amazing tools, discoveries, and environments that the evidence of a creator would be undeniable. But unfortunately, Dr. Greenberg does not mention God in any of his work. There is plenty said about "nature" but the creator is not recognized.

His case is a devastating reminder to me about how close so many people are to knowing God and yet they miss all the signs! In the book of Romans Paul explains how God will not hide his wrath from those who decide to live and die in ignorance of his existence.

" For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So they are without excuse;" Romans 1:19-20

These verses are very sobering. When Jesus walked on earth he always adamantly reminded his disciples that time is short. So many need to hear about the cross and the savior who happens to also be our creator! Because if we, Christians, don't share the good news... if we never talk to others about Christ... how will they ever know? And even though it is true that none of us have the power to change anyone's mind on anything, it is a privilege to be a tool God can use to help people come to a saving knowledge of Christ.

God is so beyond our understanding and comprehension but even though this amazing being is so above us he desires to love, teach, and comfort us for all of eternity! The Bible says that even the angels yearn to learn the things that only man (humans) can know... the grace of salvation.

" How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake I am still with you." Psalm 139: 17-18




God is real. The Bible is truth. And when this life ends I know I will finally see the face of my creator and savior. It is the hope of every Christian. And even though there are days when I feel so unimportant and small God says that I am precious and bought with the highest price. So remember, even though there are many people who have lived, are living, and will live... there will never be anyone like you or me. We are each unique... like a grain of sand.

" My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you." Job 42:5

11 comments:

casiphia said...

I am so fasinated by God's creation. I just love to see what He has done. I don't know why people believe in the theories of how this planet came to life. The big band doesn't cover the symmetry of this planet and all the others and all the stars and moons. Or the beauty of all the colors that are here in animals and nature. Or how the seasons change. You can't make nothing from nothing and nothing just doesn't exist. There is so much beauty and so much of God's hands in His creation, and we can't comprehend it all but boy we can surely see it clearly just like we can read God's Words clearly. Good blog, it is beautiful.

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi:)

Greetings:)

Marvelous post, very inspiring, very educative backed by breath taking photos.

Lovely inspiring quotes.

I just couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the sand magnified. They look like precious stones. Amazing.

I agree with you Dr.Gary is a talented man but some talented men are freakish and they think they are above God because of their accomplishments. They can't look beyond their nose as far as God is concerned. God has a way of bringing such people to him and all that we can do is to pray for this misguided man.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your well written and beautifully presented post and the gorgeous photos. Many thanks.

Have a lovely day:)
Joseph

Amrita said...

Amazing pix and post. Thaks Sincerity.

Indeed God 's creation leaves one spellbound and gasping sometimes.There is so much to discovered and enjoyed and then we have all eternity to view His wonders in thenew heavens and reath. Just can 't imagine how the new creation will be!

Lone Grey Squirrel said...

Great post.

Sincerity said...

casiphia: Indeed God's creations are spell-binding! Its just amazing how much there is yet to discover... even the ordinary is extraordinary! And just think, all this beauty and wonder is here right now when things are imperfect. And God has promised to make a new heaven and earth where everything will be perfect!! I just get so excited!!

I praise God that you have been encouraged. :)

Joseph: Welcome! Thank you for visiting. :) I was astounded when I saw those photos. God is just so... amazing! You're right about Dr. Gary. He needs a savior and who knows... maybe God will perform a miracle in his life. God did save Saul... he even gave him a new name, Paul. And looking at his creation I know God can do anything!

Sincerity said...

Amrita: You're welcome! :) I'm with you on God's creations. So much beauty and wonder it blows my little mind. And you're right... one day there will be even more for everyone to see and enjoy. I am looking forward to it! We'll see it together! :)

Mr. LGS: Thanks! :)

girlintheroom said...

The beauty of everything God has created takes my breath away each day... some people ask me why I take photographs when I hardly make money from them.... it's because it's not about a profit, it's about discovering the glory of Heaven right here on Earth! Each flower is unique, each insect, each blade of grass, each stone... and yes each one of us, this is so important, Thank you for reminding me. :)

Sita said...

Sincerity,
Awesome post and pics...when I saw the movie Earth recently, I could not quite grasp how people could not see that our world could not have evolved by accident..it was so apparent that there was intelligence behind the great design... there was a Master Choreographer behind this dance of life..so amazing, so beautiful...
thanks for sharing this..
Love, Sita

Sincerity said...

Sita: You're welcome! It puts a smile on one's face, doesn't it? :)

Robert Madewell said...

You look at world and its beauty and see God. I don't. However, I am still awed and amazed. Did you see the diatoms? How freaking cool is that?

Sincerity said...

Mr. Robert Madewell: It is cool, isn't it? :)