You may be familiar with the ‘pale blue dot’? This is a famous picture of our Earth, taken from almost 4 billion miles away, at the very outer edge of the solar system. It was taken in 1990 by Voyager 1 as it headed out into distant space.
The all pervasive significance of the human race
Is somewhat challenged by looking from outer space.
Grand canyons and mountain ranges;
Vast oceans and climate changes;
Great walls and mighty conurbations;
The history and wealth of all the nations:
Planet Earth isn’t all that great,
As many an astronaut could relate.
When you get far enough away,
Human gravitas holds little sway.
The all pervasive significance of the human race
Is somewhat lessened by being in outer space.
When we gaze on that pale blue dot,
Barely perceptible, the faintest spot;
The scale of the universe is clear:
We’re not top dog, not even near.
Great men and fortunes are as dust,
Little more than cosmic compost!
Underwhelming, put in our place;
We might disappear without trace.
The all pervasive significance of the human race
Is somewhat decreased by viewing from outer space.
If God is behind the whole affair,
Why oh why should He care?
Why bother, why try, why fuss,
For a small tribe such as us?
It beggars belief, does it not,
That He should give the merest jot,
For living things, humans, et al,
Perched on a small bluish ball.
The all pervasive significance of the human race
Is somewhat revised by exploring outer space.
And what if we’re not all alone,
Life forms, be they different or clone;
Little green men, huge red women,
Or shapes grotesque and alien?
I’m willing to bet on this fact,
That regardless of visual impact,
All sentient life has in common:
Love, hate, fear, emotion.
The all pervasive significance of the human race
Is somewhat assuaged by visiting outer space.
Pondering on that pale blue dot,
Could make us thankful for our lot.
That we should be such a tiny part,
And yet He holds us in His heart?
‘Every hair on our head’ treasured,
Though our numbers can’t be measured.
It’s all the more amazing then
That He should bother with us men.
The all pervasive significance of the human race
Is somewhat downsized by observing outer space.
Can it be that all created life
Needs a redeeming sacrifice?
Could it be that Jesus has gone
To other worlds, one by one?
Life on Mars or in the stars,
Such discovery in no way bars
Belief in a loving pantocrator,
Prayer, faith, and life hereafter.
The all pervasive significance of the human race
Is somewhat debunked by our view of outer space.
The pale blue dot says to me,
Walk this earth in humility.
The scale of things may be vast,
Yet He is with us to the last.
Three things hold for eternity:
Faith, hope, and loving charity.
‘What is man that you keep him in mind?’
Small, but oh so lovingly designed!
The all pervasive significance of the human race
Is somewhat tempered by His abundant grace.