Sunlight, Dust, and Atmosphere?

There are times when I have to pinch my arm to assure myself I am alive when I enjoy breathtaking things around me. Too beautiful for words and unmatched by human ingenuity are just some of the things I admire. Take for instance the sunset image below.

Our home in York for the last eight years would offer some breath taking sunsets. This particular moment was one for the ages. It has been scientifically explained that sunsets like this are caused by sunlight, dust particles, and atmosphere. Timing and alignment are key elements in having sunsets occur like this one. I wonder if the shepherd boy David saw something like this when he wrote Psalm 8? What about his world impressed him so much that he would acknowledge the creativity of God? Or did David think, "Wow, look how the sunlight has refracted through dust and the earth's astmosphere to create that sunset!"

"O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory

above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because

of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. When I consider your heavens, the work

of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you

are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than

the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the

works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts

of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. O

LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! (Psalm 8, NIV)

In the mind of David, there was no question of God's existence and involvement in his life. He looked around and heard children praising God. He saw the moon, stars and heavenly bodies and marveled at God's expertise. David considered humanity and saw the relationship they enjoyed with their creator, redeemer, and lover of their souls.

If today finds you floating aimlessly through life unattached to the one who created you, who has redeemed you, and who loves you then stop and look around. Is there something nearby that takes your breath away? Is it something God has placed before you to capture your attention? Know that God loves you. He wants you to know this love and will make himself known through his son Jesus Christ. He sometimes uses sunsets....you know, those events caused by sunlight, dust, and atmosphere!