Precious And Honoured In His SightSample

A friend recently showed me an online infographic titled ‘The Scale of the Universe’, that allows the user to zoom out or in to get an idea of just how vast the universe is. Using this infographic, I discovered that the diameter of the earth is 12,700 kilometres; the diameter of the sun is 1.4 million kilometres; and the diameter of VY Canis Majoris, the largest known star, is 3 billion kilometres. It would take 1200 years for a plane to circle it once. 

When we think about the universe, it’s natural to feel very insignificant. Compared to these giant stars, we humans are tiny specks. 

But the Bible, from its very first chapter, says that human beings have huge significance. Genesis 1 describes humanity as being made in the image of God and given the task of ‘ruling over’ God’s creation. We are representations of God, tasked with representing him on the earth. God has given us immeasurable value – we have been “crowned with glory and honour” (Psalm 8). Over the next fortnight, we’ll be exploring the implications of this incredible truth. 

What is your reaction to the truth that humans are made in God’s image? How might this impact how you relate to God, other people, and creation?