It Kind of Looked Like Mars

While we were heading up the mountain, after visiting the Dead Sea, we stopped on the side of the road at one of the only places that cars could pull off safely. The road was narrow and windy, and at times only big enough for one car to pass. I’m glad I wasn’t driving and I was glad to have a break in the trip where I could open my eyes and really enjoy the scenery.

To the west was the water and to the east were more mountain ranges. But below our feet was a strange terrain that kind of looked like Mars. It had a lot of grey but there were also reddish and orange colored rocks. It didn’t take a lot of imagination to think we were on a different planet altogether. 

But it wasn’t Mars, it was Earth and while most of the land was completely barron, there were some remarkable signs of life. Here and there, blades of grass and other forms of ground cover popped up between the rocks. It was as if they were defying the odds to say, “I’m going to grow here anyway.” And then the grandchildren started to get very excited. They found a lizard and were convinced that they could catch it. They didn’t - but for a while it was a great form of entertainment for them and a lot of exercise for the lizard.

Genesis 1:11, 24
Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it according to their various kinds.” And it was so … And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so.

• Several thoughts come to mind. First, we tend to take for granted the simple things of life. In fact, we take for granted life itself. I’m not sure who will be among the first to travel to Mars, but in addition to the wonder and adventure of it all, I think there will also be a deeper appreciation for the simplicity of life here on Earth.
• Life on earth is amazing. In spite of desolation and harsh conditions, life shows up. It shows up in places of extreme cold and extreme heat. It shows up at the top of a mountain and at the bottom of the ocean. It just shows up. And considering the lack of life elsewhere, the improbability of it arising from non-life and the complexity of life on a molecular level, it is amazing that it exists at all. Human beings, in their own right, are excellent creators and engineers, but we have never done what God does everyday.
• So when we look at sparse vegetation in the desert or a lizard crawling between the rocks or especially the lush green bushes in our backyard, let us give thanks to God for including us in the wonders of his creation. 

Jeremiah 32:17
Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.

Learning from Jesus together with you,

Pastor Mike

Note: For additional blog posts in this series, go to Lessons from Jordan on our webpage.