January Observing Night. The subject for observing on a recent night was the Great Orion Nebula. I conducted a observing class on Night Skies Network (NSN) during the period. I used an 8 inch telescope with an astro video camera. The output goes to NSN, who rebroadcasts. The service is free. I talked and guided a few listeners and watchers about some basic sketch technique to develop an observing sheet and developed a one with them. They moved back and forth between the telescope view and my observing sheet. We offer these lessons so schools in developing regions with an internet connection get observe with equipment and assistance they would normally not be able to harness.
The Day After. Today I finished my own observing sheet, but could not help but remember why we do what we do. We point people to the God of creation–the One who made the heavens, as stated in Hebrews 1:2. We are especially happy if we can do this with the poor or those who would normally never have the opportunity to observe. When possible, we do this in person as the picture shows. This little Aeta girl from the Philippines had to be lifted to the scope to see. About 150 little ones to high school students got their first exposure to the heavens and a glimpse through optics at a terrestrial object about a mile away on this particular evening.
Creation–the Great Leveler. It is true that modern astronomy is a hobby of the rich. Most observers would not consider themselves rich but they are. 80% of the world’s population lives poorly. Demographic studies do not lie. The average observer that has a telescope is well within the top 20% of the population. I am among them, but the heart of the gospel of Jesus Christ constrains me to reach to the poor. They can see the skies as Job did. Anyone–rich or poor–has the potential to observe the heavens if there are willing believers to teach them about this aspect of God’s creation.
If God can bring an observing man like Job to his knees to acknowledge the greatness and love of God by what is He has made, then the heavens can be used by believers to illustrate the qualities of our most magnificent God. So if this is a viable way to speak of Jesus Christ but also delve into the discipline of accurate and meaningful observing, where are the believers who would do this? Why is it so hard to find believers who are also scientists or engineers (my background) prepared to say, “Look what God has done?”….and do it among those who do not have opportunity? This could be done in a host of disciplines and subjects, but it is unusual for this to happen. Why?
Some Things Don’t Change. Jesus made it a point to give the good news of the Kingdom of God to the poor, the sinner, and the unliked. He used parables and stories that any poor or rich person could understand. Most of them used simple aspects of some part of creation–things people could see, touch, and smell. The rich and powerful resented Him, except for a few who followed Him. It is no wonder that Jesus made his statements about the difficulty of the rich entering the Kingdom of heaven. This has not changed. Nearly every refined hobby or discipline, like astronomical observing, is populated with those who have financial ability. It is not much different among Christians, because it is inconvenient and costs something to take an ability or discipline (like astronomical observing) to the needy.
There is a second difficulty. Many believers do not believe the scriptures are authoritative in regard to creation and where they touch on science topics.
Linda taught some teachers in Uganda about the heavens–like the picture illustrates. In our travels to Haiti, the Philippines, and Uganda we looked around us all the time to see who might be doing these kinds of things. At home we have asked people with financial ability to learn and go. In both cases, we could not find candidates. Science teachers in the Philippines and Uganda came to us and said they have never heard of anyone doing this, and wanted more. Why is it not happening?
It seems that many believers shy away from touting the truth of the scriptures about creation and have a lifestyle that insulates their hobbies and abilities from those who are needy. Consider Jesus. He could be found among the poor or sinners or unliked people during most his walk. It seems to me that the scriptures are plain. If a believer is whole hearted–has abandoned his abilities and hobbies to God–I should be able to find him, sooner or later, among the have-nots, because the Spirit of Christ does that. That is why an oceanographer who is a Christian can tell of the wonders of the sea to an inner city kid that has never been to sea. That is why a lover of horses who knows Christ can be found, sooner or later, telling needy children about the beauty and strength and features of a horse. That is why a medical doctor, sooner or later, can be found helping the health of those who have never seen a doctor before because of where they live or how much money they make.
Back to the Great Orion Nebula. Now you understand why my heart sometimes aches when I observe. After I observed on this particular evening, I kept remembering the scenes in Uganda, and Haiti, and the Philippines. It is not that I don’t enjoy observing, and I love teaching people to observe God’s created heavens. But I do not do this without remembering those who have never seen the heavens because no one has taught them what can be seen, how to observe, and Who is responsible for the magnificence of the heavens. Here is the observing sheet:
It’s not the best sketch, and it uses tools that most of my friends in Uganda and the Philippines have never seen but I am trying to change that. We have taken scope kits and binoculars to a few places to teach teachers how to expose children to the created heavens. If I could, I would train believers and encourage them to do the same thing. When the heart aims to do this, the doors open.
If you would consider such a thing, start saving your pennies. But when you hold a little Aeta child and tell her about the created heavens, or you take a Ugandan pastor and tell him about the wonders of the moon, and you watch their eyes light up, then you will understand why the effort is worthwhile. When you tell high school students or their teachers about observing the created heavens–and do so with a conviction that is reflected in the scriptures, you will see them get excited, ask questions, learn, and realize that their God is not just relegated to a church service. Then you would also understand, after God spoke to Job about just a few of the wonders that He had made, why Job fell to his knees and repented. Job had observed His creation, but momentarily forgot their wonder in the midst of his circumstances.
Can you go? Are you willing to curtail your personal desires or finances so you can make it happen? If so, it can happen.
