I read a biography about Albert Einstein last month and it sparked my interest in astronomy. The book was filled with many thought experiments, espoused by the theoretical physicists, that wrestled with the nature of the universe. I wrestled with ideas about time and space and spent a lot of time researching some basic concepts of science. One preponderance had to do with the creation of the universe. I believe the Biblical narrative but find myself curious as to how God spoke everything into being.  This week my devotions orbit around the themes of faith and obedience. I read from Hebrews 11 and came across this reminder, "By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command."  The author preempts our understanding of faith by describing it as, "confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." It is possible to make many different arguments about our existence from a Biblical point of view and these are important. But we must remember that, "without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

By faith we understand...

I don't need to forfeit my thoughts about how God created everything. I do need to be prepared, at the end of the day, to say that I simply believe: I hope and am confident in things unseen. This attitude is commended by Christ when he says, "blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed (John 20:29)." We will know someday. Today I stand in awe of the content and characteristics of his universal design.