If you've ever watched "If the Earth Were the Size of a Golf Ball" by Loui Giglio, you've probably felt really small and suddenly fearful in more ways than one. If you haven't, please take the 10 minutes to watch the video below, because it's worth more of your time than reading this entire article.
Now you feel really small, right? I am constantly self-absorbed and stuck in my own world. I forget that there are billions of people on this planet, and then I think that what I'm doing in Cleveland, MS at Delta State University is the axis on which everyone spins around. As if.
I don't know when humans begin to think that this planet exists for us and revolves around each and every one of us individually, but at some point it happens; I'd like to guess that it happens the day we're born. We are helpless, needy and consumed with only that which pertains to our feeding and diaper changing. The funny thing is, we all had to have our bottoms wiped when we were little. And if we live long enough, it'll happen again. Talk about being humbled.
Thankfully, Jesus has humbled me from my high chair that hasn't involved anyone near my rear. He's humbled me by reminding me that the pale blue dot and I have a lot in common.
The pale blue dot is hilariously tiny compared to the other planets, compared to the sun, the galaxy, neighboring galaxies and so on. There are black holes and nebulas substantially, immeasurably larger than little planet Earth. There are galaxies billions of light years away, and I know that my brain will never understand the numerical significance that the word "trillion" actually holds. I cannot stress how super small Earth is. Do you see where I'm going with this?
I am tiny compared to the other students at Delta State University. Compared to Cleveland, MS, surrounding counties, the Delta and so on. There are Olympic athletes competing that are my age. There are students in their second or third year of college creating technology for the next generation. There are young girls becoming victims through the act of traumatizing war crimes. Because of the country I so thankfully live in, I'll likely never understand how truly devastating the life of a sex slave is. Compared to the good and bad scenarios I've just mentioned, I'm super small.
Yet I am far enough away from Christ's eternal Heaven to keep doing the work He's called me to do here, and close enough to His love to know that my insignificance is significant. He gives me enough strength to keep going when I'm sure I'm ready to give up to my circumstances or give in to temptation. I am tiny, but He is the God that can use me and my failures to maximize His glory.
So, why did I share that video with you all? Two reasons:
1. It's really cool. You can't walk away without thinking, "Man, that is a really cool video."
2. Jesus humbled me by showing me how small I am years ago when I watched that video and used it as a reminder recently but combined it with my study in the book of Esther. He reminded me that despite my life on the tiny, pale blue dot, He has chosen me. Chosen to love me. Chosen to care for me. Chosen to bring me joy and sadness. Chosen to share with me His Holy Spirit. He has chosen me. The King of the Universe, Alpha and Omega. He chooses me.
And He chooses you.
"For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world in the things that have been made. So that they are without excuse." Romans 1:19-20
"...and who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Esther 4:14
"...you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you..." Isaiah 43:4
