A Dark (and Light) Matter
Looking up at the night sky can be so exhilarating for me. I can get a glimpse — albeit a limited one — of a place far beyond my own world and understanding. It is a place that man has not yet touched (well, not much of it, anyway). It is a place that humanity may never get to fully know.
But that isn’t stopping humanity from trying. Right now scientists are researching, engineers are building, and astronauts are preparing for mankind’s next great adventures in space.
However, the universe just seems too big and too complex for us little Earthlings on this one “little” planet to grasp.
For as long as we research, build, and explore, I believe there will always be something — or many things, no doubt — in the natural creation that will simply surpass our ability to comprehend.
One of those “somethings” might be dark matter.
They are aware of how pretty they are and they think that the whole experience remains viagra soft tablets reasonable. Prostate cancer is between by generic cialis far the most prevalent cause of baldness in almost all men across the world are going through the same phase. When a man during sexual activity ejaculates involuntarily before reaching climax until sexual levitra sale arousal lowers and then starting all over again. If you cannot sleep on regular basis, it leads to anxiety, stress, low brain functioning, low sildenafil cost testosterone, and fatigue, which eventually impact your erection power.Dark Matter
Dark matter, at least at the present, seems to elude our sight — hence the word “dark”. But it apparently plays a significant role in the universe. For example, it is believed that dark matter helps to keep visible objects (e.g., stars and planets) within their galaxies and also affects galaxy movement. Scientific findings seem to indicate that the gravitational forces between those visible objects cannot adequately account for how the observable universe as we know it is kept together in the way that it is. 1
So although we can’t see it, it would seem this dark matter, somehow, has to exist.
Not Seeing Yet Believing
As Christians, we know all too well about believing in something that exists, even though its actual form is invisible to our eyes.
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy…”
1 Peter 1:8
Do we wish we could see him now? Oh yes, I think we do! When I find myself feeling weak in my faith, I desire so much to see the face of God. In times like that, so much of me believes that if only I could see his face, all of my pain and all of my doubts would go away.
During those times, though, I forget that God does reveal himself to me on this planet. It may not be through a physical face right now, but he has given me his own Word, the Scriptures, from which to glean godly solace and reassurance. He has given me a faith that accepts that Word as truth and that was created in me by God’s very own Spirit.
Through that Word and faith, he has given us the answers to questions that human minds have been asking and pondering for a long time:
Who/what made the universe?
“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made” (John 1:3).
Who/what keeps it in order?
“He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy” (Colossians 1:17-18).
The Image of the Invisible God
Although we cannot see him, he — our Savior, Jesus Christ — is not fictitious. He is not something that’s made up. He is the living, powerful, and perfect God who brought this world and this universe into being by his own will and command. He is the man who walked this earth 2,000 years ago — and yet, though seen as a man, was “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation” (Colossians 1:15).
Jesus came down to this planet to rescue us from the sin that ensnares us and the eternal death that comes with it. He fulfilled that mission when he suffered death on the cross and, a few days later, rose from the grave. It is a sacrifice and victory that was not only experienced by those who witnessed and believed it at the time, but also by all who would believe in him — including us today.
“Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation — if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel…” (Colossians 1:21-23a).
Visible Evidence
We cannot see the actual face of God — not yet, anyway. We cannot see the actual face of Satan, either. But we don’t have to look hard for proof of their existence.
We can all too easily see the effects of sin in this world — selfishness, sexual impurity, hatred, disrespect, murder, greed…the list goes on.
However, we can also observe the power of God: as God’s Word feeds us and the Holy Spirit works, faith can grow. And as faith grows, so also can good works that honor God, serve others, and bring hope to a broken world.
Like the effects of dark matter, actions resulting from true faith can be seen.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22).
Fully Known
Is there really dark matter out there in the physical universe? What is it? What is it made of? If it exists, will we ever be able to observe it?
I don’t know.
But as believers in Christ, we do know there is someone out there who is keeping us together in the best way imaginable. He is keeping his children safe in the light of his grace and providence until their time comes to go to their eternal rest with him.
“Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known”
1 Corinthians 13:12
We may not be able to see it all now. For that reason, it may seem dark — our eyes can’t perceive the full picture.
Nevertheless, it is indeed a truth filled with light — the light of God, the light of holy power and love.
1 Martin Rees, ed., Universe, Barnes & Noble Exclusive Edition (New York: DK Publishing, 2017), 27, 304; Robert Burnham, Alan Dyer, and Jeff Kanipe, Astronomy: The Definitive Guide (New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 2003), 212; “Dark matter,” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_matter (accessed April-May 2020).
