Thursday, July 12, 2007

Time and Eternity

In the last seven days I have organized 2,700 photos into nine albums.

I also read Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis this week. I was struck by the idea of God not being bound by time, and being able to view every moment of time in our world simultaneously, especially since I have 2,700 pictures floating around in my head after the last seven days, which seems like a lot to me until I contemplate having every moment in history floating around in my head. I cannot imagine what it is like for God to be able to see everything all at once, but it sure gives me a clue to His power and majesty.

Just think, the Lord has the ability to listen to every live performance of Handel's Messiah that was ever made, all at once. Live. Or He can pick and choose which particular performances to overlay. (I don't know if He does things like this, but He could do it if He wanted.)

Or He could isolate and magnify every prayer that one person has uttered over a particular struggle.

He can look at each one of my children from babyhood through adulthood, at the same time. He can see a teenager's heartbreaking angst, while also watching the man or woman he or she will become.

The really amazing thing is that although He has everything at His fingertips, all at once, He is not in the least befuddled by it. He can give an eternity of attention to just one prayer, just one single song, without being bothered by distractions.

To see a world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wildflower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour.

--William Blake

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post!

Anonymous said...

Katie,
You said it far better than I explained it.
Dad

Katie said...

Thanks, Dad. :o)

(And thanks, Gentle Learning Mom!)

Javamom said...

The first time I read Mere Christianity changed my life. I was in a College Philosophy Class. This very concept gave me such a clear view that I've kept with me ever since...God outside of time.

Thanks for sharing your responses with us!

Javamom

Katie said...

Javamom, I thought I had read Mere Christianity before, but if I had, I surely don't remember it! I think my ability to read has grown in the last few years.