The Hubble Space Telescope
The thickness of our atmosphere and light pollution limits our ability to see far-off nebula and galaxies clearly. To compensate, NASA scientists launched the Hubble Space Telescope into low earth orbit on April 24, 1990 from the Space Shuttle Discovery.
Sadly, when the scientists received the first images they discovered the Hubble needed glasses. An microscopic flaw in the primary mirror caused a halo effect around each star, blurring the images. So NASA trained and equipped some repairmen to install corrective lenses. Meanwhile the Hubble continued making important discoveries. Three years later, in December 1993, the space shuttle Endeavour’s seven astronaut team captured the space telescope and successfully repaired it.
After the Hubble’s launch, astronomers suddenly started to discover amazing new details about our universe. But these nebulae and far off galaxies had always existed.
We just had no ability to see them.
In the same way we are often blind to the spiritual world around us.
New Sight for Elisha’s Servant
An enemy king sent his army to the Jewish prophet’s town, either to capture Elisha or kill him. Seeing enemy soldiers surrounding Dothan, Elijah’s servant started panicking. So the prophet calmly prayed, asking the Lord to reveal the true spiritual reality to his stressed-out servant.
15 The servant of the man of God got up early and went out, and behold, there was an army with horses and chariots encircling the city. Elisha’s servant said to him, “Oh no, my master! What are we to do?”
16 Elisha answered, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “Lord, please, open his eyes that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha. (2 Kings 6:15-17 AMP)
The angels guarding Elisha and his servant kept them safe, but the servant lacked the prophet’s spiritual eyesight to see them. Yet invisible warriors protected him just the same.
Obtaining Spiritual Sight
Today some rare individuals see angels, but I can’t. At least not yet. If it ever happens it will be a gift from God. But this post is about something different; seeing events, life situations and especially people as God sees them.
I’m not talking about spooky, otherworldly eyesight. Instead it’s sharing Jesus’ heart. Valuing what He values, and setting aside those things which are unimportant.
Christ’s earthly life gives us some clues.
- His main focus? Ministering to lost or hurting people. He even saved a few Pharisees.
- Money and material possessions? Completely unimportant.
- Being a people pleaser? Not interested.
- Losing all His followers except the people closest to Him? Ah, it happens.
- Amassing political power? No time for it.
- Seeking to please and glorify His Heavenly Father in every way? Yes.
Most Christians would agree with my list, but how well do we show these characteristics in our own lives?
Frankly, we’re called to be divine mirrors. Space telescopes capture and focus starlight. Our God wants us to do the same; to reflect His divine nature into the darkness of a dying sin-soaked world.
But how?
Well, 2 Corinthians 3 gives us a clue.
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
(2 Corinthians 3:18 RSV)
We need to seek to behold God’s glory.
Here’s three ways we can do so.
Regularly Attend a Bible-believing Church. A good church provides insight from other believers, challenges who I am as a person, opens my mind to new truths and gives me fresh ministry opportunities.
By Personal Experience. When Jesus stretches my faith and I step out in obedience, I learn something new about my Redeemer. Following Jesus into an unknown future can be unnerving, but my spiritual life has grown richer each time. I always come to know Him in a deeper way.
By Studying the Scriptures. If reading the Bible seems flat and boring, ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you through the verses or stories you’re reading. I have faith that He will. The Bible is a living book because the Author is sitting inside me, wanting to open my eyes to new truths.
A Final Thought
We can only reflect Christ’s nature when we personally see Him more clearly.
These images came from Pixabay.com and show a section of the mirror array for the James Webb Space Telescope.
Resources:
Space Telescopes – there have been at least 5 telescopes orbiting earth.
NASA facts about the Hubble Space Telescope.
The 18 golden hexagonal mirrors on the James Webb Space Telescope all separately align to form one gigantic mirror.
