Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:14-15.

The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV.

In our Friday Zoom Retreat, we were only four in number. We watched an animated video showing, in terms lay people can kind of understand, the complexities of our universe. What we thought we understood within the “dome” of what we could see and measure currently of the universe, is changing in ways our current understanding can’t account for, and cracks in our understanding are forming and reforming and growing in alarming ways absent our ability to explain. There is so much we don’t yet understand and I say “we” very broadly because I can’t begin to fathom the language of advanced mathematics needed. The scientists and mathematicians will continue to learn and explore and our understanding will expand as they continue to blaze the yet unknown to us – that is not only known but was brought into being by Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit. And isn’t that true also of our spiritual understanding? Cracks in the “dome” of our religious certainties are openings through which the light of God’s truth can shine and illuminate understanding as we are able to catch up with hearts eager to grow closer to Him. He reminded me His love brings to light understanding – and His love is the light that brightens the way forward.

And our chapter, 1 Corinthians 16, is the final chapter of this letter from Paul. Paul was like those scientists and mathematicians blazing the trail of understanding the universe to bring us away from what was so limited in our understanding…The earth was not flat…The earth was not the center of the universe. Creator God IS. Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come. When I arrive, whomever you may approve, I will send them with letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem; and if it is fitting for me to go also, they will go with me. But I will come to you after I go through Macedonia, for I am going through Macedonia; and perhaps I will stay with you, or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way wherever I may go. For I do not wish to see you now just in passing; for I hope to remain with you for some time, if the Lord permits. But I will remain in Ephasus until Pentecost; for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without cause to be afraid, for he is doing the Lord’s work, as I also am. So let no one despise him. But send him on his way in peace, so that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brethren. But concerning Apollos our brother, I encouraged him greatly to come to you with the brethren; and it was not at all his desire to come now, but he will come when he has opportunity. Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. Now I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to the saints), that you also be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labors. I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have supplied what was lacking on your part. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men. The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. The greeting is in my own hand – Paul. If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. I looked up the word Maranatha: “Maranatha is an Aramaic phrase meaning, “Our Lord, come!” or “Our Lord has come!” It is used in the Bible as a fervent prayer or exclamation expressing longing for Jesus’ return and a statement of faith that He has already come. For early Christians, it was a message of hope, encouragement, and expectation of Christ’s Second Coming.”

Are we as excited to know God as are scientists to understand how the universe was made? We are so blessed to live in this time today. We can share spiritual insights and queries as I’m sure every astrophysicist and mathematician is sharing in their discoveries today with people who can understand their excitement – at the speed of whatever it is that allows people around the world to talk with one another in real time! Imagine if that had been available in the time of Jesus and the early church! Let all you do be done in love…There is so much we don’t know or understand about everything – and especially about our Creator who IS Love. We aren’t living in the time of Paul and the early church. Yet, we read everything then through the lens of our 2025. Imagine applying that differential perspective to all we don’t yet appreciate and know about the Creation events, and – we are in a time flow as different as scientists are now discovering we have always existed in, yet couldn’t measure. Be excited for cracks in our understanding! We need them to shake us up and help us see all we don’t yet fully understand. As we appreciate all we don’t know about the physical universe, let us appreciate all that is yet to be understood about Creator God with His help guiding us as we are excited to experience everything with Him!