An Order To Things Part I
There is an order to things. Oh, there appears to be chaos all around us. The days of discombobulation fill our calendars. But underlying it all is a foundation of consistent principles that make our universe possible.
Consider the rainbow.
As I understand it, a rainbow is a result of light passing through countless droplets of water suspended in the atmosphere. They tell us that these droplets act as microscopic prisms that break apart the sunlight into the individual wavelengths that we see as different colors.
The point? Every time a rainbow appears, the colors are the same and in the same order. Regardless of where you are or the specific circumstances that created the rainbow, each striation of color is always the same. While each color gradually blends into another, the basic pattern is easily identified. Newton was the first to name them as Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet, affectionately known as Roy G. Biv.
Is it important? Well, for one thing, scientists use that consistency to analyze the light coming from the stars we see at night. And through such careful analysis, they can measure the composition, density, and mass of a star. In some cases, it can even be use to determine the distance the star is from the earth. In addition, the consistency of the spectrum has application all around us. Your microwave, cell phone, and radio are all dependent upon the knowledge that certain frequencies of electromagnetic radiation behave in certain ways. Healthcare miracles like an MRI, the radar that is used to warn us when severe weather approaches, and even the remote control for your television set are based upon the predictability of different types of radiation. Without an order to things, our lives would be unrecognizable.
From my perspective of faith, such order is not a coincidence. When describing how everything began, the biblical writer describes creation as the moment God brought order to chaos. There’s a plan to this universe, a created order, a divine intent. And, it would seem as a rule of thumb, when we understand and apply the order, our lives get better.
Such a statement would seem to beg the question. If there is an order intended by the creator for the physical universe, what of that which is beyond our physical perceptions? In our understanding of the spiritual dimension to our existence, might we not assume that our creator has an intended order in that arena as well? Is there an expectation he would have for our behavior, our morals, or our values? Is there an intent behind our creation?
In Jeremiah, God talks about the plans He has for his people. In Psalms, the poet asks God to order his steps. Paul challenged his readers in Philippi to walk according to the pattern he set for them. Jesus Himself told a parable about two houses. One is built upon the chaos of the world, and one is built upon His principles, His order. Those who God used to put Holy Words on paper had no doubt. God has an order for man to follow. Man has followed his own path and now reaps the consequences of the chaos of his own making. Yet, according to Paul in the Book of Romans, God loves us so much that even though we were outside of God’s expectation, He sent His Son to make it possible for us to once again be a part of God’s intention for His creation.
Dear Lord, I want my life to reflect your order and to show your priorities. As I encounter the rest of your creation, might they see in me your intent for what You have made!
Measure Twice!
DLB
