Bullets, Balloons and Blooms

Posted on Feb 23, 2020 in Pastor's Corner |

I grew up looking through a camera viewfinder … even when I didn’t have film. In photography, bracketing field of view or bracketing time sometimes helps us see things we’d otherwise miss. Dr. Harald Edgerton was a pioneer in photographically bracketing time. Precise synchronization between flash and camera allowed him to bracket time down to nanoseconds. His best-known picture, a bullet passing through an apple, was captured at about a millionth of a second.

Today video cameras exist that capture 380,000 frames per second. These cameras can be seen in action on the YouTube channel, “The Slow Mo Guys.” In photography the more frames per second, the more time appears to slow. In time-lapse photography, fewer frames over longer periods of time viewed in sequence seem to speed you forward in time. The first type of photography can reveal things like the hydraulic and ballistic ballet of a water balloon impacting a person’s head. Conversely, time-lapse allows you to watch the unfolding of a flower from bud to bloom with the rapidity a firework’s explosion.
 
 

My mother-in-law recently shared a compilation of such time-lapse blooms. As I watched, I was impacted by the strong and distinct realization that I was witnessing worship. Before you decide I’ve gone off the metaphysical deep end, consider just a few scriptures about creation.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Psalm 19:1–3

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy … Psalm 96:11–12

Ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. Job 12:7–10

I’m not saying that flowers and stars have consciousness and purposefully worship God; that would stretch the poetic language of the inspired authors. I’m trying to say exactly what I believe they were saying, “God created this world so that you cannot miss His Glory!” If you will bracket out distractions, look at and listen to the creation around you with a heart of faith … you will see that all things point to the magnificence and glory of your Creator.

I guess I’m trying to say this … “Since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” Romans 1:20 

For extra fun … and worship, check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZVdQLn_E5w
 
 
 

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