FILLING THE EMPTY SKY

“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Matthew 14:17-21

In September 2003, NASA decided to look into the emptiest section of the night sky. At a point southwest of the Constellation Orion, there is a tiny spec of sky with very little to see. This spot of emptiness is only about one-tenth the size of the full moon, but scientists were curious about what the Hubble Space Telescope would find in a place where there appeared to be a complete void. So they took picture – a very long picture. For eleven days the sophisticated orbiting satellite pointed its camera at this little area of nothing.

The resulting photograph is one of the most astounding discoveries in history.

Known as the Ultra Deep Field, the image shows 10,000 previously unknown galaxies. Every point of light in thisphotograph is an entire galaxy, each containing hundreds of millions of stars. And this is only one tiny view of the universe our Lord created.

Even in smallest places where there seems to be nothing, God has been at work in more ways than we can imagine. Every place He goes is filled with His abundance!

That is why it is so important to open your heart, your mind and your life to God’s presence. The Disciples worried there would be no way to feed the thousands who had come to hear Jesus speak. In response, Jesus told them to pass the empty baskets to the people. But, they were far from empty. Like the baskets He filled with loaves and fishes, or the limitless night sky He filled with stars, Jesus will fill you to overflowing.

Take a lesson from the Hubble Telescope: the longer you open your eyes, the more you will see God’s work in your life. The longer you open your heart, the more you will experience His love. And the more you open your life, the more you will be filled with His grace and blessings.

Open yourself. Open wide and allow the Lord God to pour His abundant overflow into your every dark corner. Like those hidden galaxies, you may find He has been there all along.

Today’s Prayer

Lord Jesus, You have filled the void of space with endless wonders for us to see! I confess I have not filled my life with You. But, that will all change from this moment forward. Fill me with Your love in the same way you have placed stars in the sky. Place within me an endless faith for You, so that I may show the wonders of Your kingdom to the world. Amen.