In today’s cultural climate in the United States our senses are being hammered to death. Even though studies show the dangers and effects of a constant barrage media that over stimulates us and the corresponding lesser attention given to face to face communication, the trends to increase the media continue. One direct effect is the smothering of an important question, “What is life about and where is it headed?”. God built us with a sense of eternity and the necessity to deal with the question, but it can be buried–intentionally or unintentionally–in the quest to serve our senses.
So the sketch of Clavius and the observing period are a different kind of example, where the scene and the senses at a more modest level and using a period of time are used to consider who God is and what it all means. It is one reason why we go to schools and teach teachers and children to settle themselves, observe, make a simple sketch, and interpret what they see. It causes them to see, think, and interpret.
So on this classic summer night it was dead calm. There was so much moisture that all the astronomy equipment was getting wet. The heavy moisture and the haze, however, stabilize the atmosphere and permit good seeing for a lunar observing period. After passing over the lunar surface, I found the crater Clavius. It is not the first time I have studied it. Clavious has unique and beautiful features: craters within craters, craters forming a curve, double walls with interesting topography, and many other details. The moon phase was very good for seeing contrast on the crater area. I took my time outlining and developing the sketch while amazed at the quiet and still evening.
Just like we teach, I finished by thinking about the wonder of it all. The grandeur of the crater is, of course, because of the Creator’s hand. So is the light play on the lunar surface. I know the peace of Jesus Christ in my heart, so the period ended with thanks and some conversation with the One who knows me inside and out. But for readers who may not know Him, consider what I say: our God is awesome, and His wonders point to Him, but what good is it if you do not know Him in a personal way? One can choose to immerse life in media or anything else, but it will not help the soul. God made his creation for us to see because it beckons us to deal with him. Why don’t you do it?
Psalm 104:1-3, 35b O Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. he makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind….Praise the Lord! (quoted from the NIV)
