Getting a Proper Perspective on Life!

Getting a Proper Perspective on Life!

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:1 NKJV

Here's the story -- someone took a lot of time and put together the images you see here. But they did more than design some images. These are sized according to scale so that we have an idea as to how one planet or star compares to another in size. We begin with 5 planets in our solar system. In the view above notice that the earth, which is our home for a few years at most, is the largest of the five pictured. A few years ago there seemed to be a debate or discussion as to whether or not Pluto is really a planet. But in this scenario Pluto is present although not very impressive in size.

OK - now we add 4 more planets which float around in our solar system. They are a bit larger in size. Saturn in this view is minus its impressive circular decorations which take up a considerable amount of space in themselves. As you can see, our earth is quite a bit smaller in comparison to the likes of a Jupiter!

According to scale, here is about how the planets and the sun compare in size to one another. Our earth is about 8,000 miles in diameter. The sun is about 93 million miles away from us, and as you can see, it is quite a monster in size compared to even Jupiter, the largest of the planets in our planetary neighborhood!

Now things begin to change a little more dramatically. As you will observe, the star, Arcturus, comes into the picture and makes our sun look more than a tad puny in size, wouldn't you say? This show isn't over yet, but maybe it's time to note an interesting comment from God's Word.....

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.
Psalm 19:1-3 NKJV

Hang on, we're not done yet! With that statement in mind which is from Psalm 19, we move on to even bigger things which God put together -- our little solar system got lost in the dust back yonder a ways! Remember when you saw Arcturus a moment ago and how that star in size made our sun look like nothing? Well, what do you think of Antares? Arcturus is not the biggest guy in the neighborhood -- we're talking vast expanse of the universe and millions if not billions of light years in terms of distance! Antares is the 15th brightest star in the sky and is about 1,000 light years away -- that is, if you want to take a trip to Antares, and you traveled at the speed of light (186,000 miles per second!), it would take you 1,000 years to get there with no stops at WalMart along the way!

Nice picture isn't it? This is a Hubble telescope ultra deep field infrared view of countless complete galaxies billions of light years away! If a person thinks about all this for a little while, it can be a humbling experience. Maybe now is a good time to listen to what one man said about such a situation. It is obvious that he has a clear perspective on what life is all about.

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen; even the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea that pass through the paths of the seas. O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth! I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High..
Psalm 8:3-9:2 NKJV

All too often, however, in the history of the human race there have been those times when people got too big for their britches -- pride always leads to some kind of chaos followed by destruction. It's been going on ever since Adam and Eve were kicked out of the Garden of Eden. There are three very powerful influences that are more often than not built on human pride and deception because there is a refusal to honestly recognize Who is behind all that you have seen in the images shown above and what He has plainly revealed to the human race. These influences are symbolized in the dancing trio pictured just below. They are government, the education system, and at times the deadly and deceptive doctrines which have penetrated the church which claims to follow Jesus Christ! Warnings have been repeatedly given in Scripture to look out for those who teach falsely and are "wolves in sheep's clothing!"

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
Colossians 2:8-10 NKJV

Christians are that special and very small group of persons who have gained a correct perspective on what life is all about. The One Whom they trust and follow, Jesus Christ, is the One Who gave some spoken commands and what you saw above suddenly came into existence. But He did much more than that -- He became human and eventually gave His life as a sacrifice for the sins of the entire human race, thus satisfying God's justice as administered toward all who are guilty of sinning against Him. Literally, He took the punishment upon Himself which we deserved to receive. If you have questions about this, or you have never repented and received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of your life, then review the facts on how to become a Christian and experience a clear perspective on what life is all about. Go to

How to Become A Christian

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16 NKJV


April 23, 2009, UPDATED September 29, 2023
Clayton D. Harriger
Elder in Full Connection
Western PA Annual Conference
The United Methodist Church
and former pastor of
Gipsy Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) from November 1999 to November 2019
Gipsy, PA

For issues dealing with a right perspective on life see:
[NOTE: Use return feature on your browser to come back here]
[NOTE: Use return feature on your browser to come back here]

T O P

Return to OR Sneak a Peek at C. D. Harriger's BLOG at
Musings of a Maverick!

Circuit Rider's Range (Main Area)

Ramblings from the Pen of a Maverick

...

CR's Leap of Faith! OR The Whole Spread of CR's Range!
Return to Building Walls with Untempered OR Tempered Mortar!
Bird's Eye View of CR's Range
What's New At CR's Range?

How to Become A Christian

What Can I Do?

For comments, complaints, or just plain axe-grinding, contact C. D. Harriger by clicking on Penelope, efficient mail hostess of Circuit Rider's Range, and she will set up the email form for you to fill out and send on its way