Everything in space is in motion – both revolving and rotating.
Stabilizing Rotation
But, as astronomer Donald DeYoung explains, this spinning motion is essential to survival of the heavenly bodies. He writes, “Rotation is a universal nature of stars just as it is for all the planets and their moons. … Without these motions, gradual large scale gravity collapse and chaos would occur everywhere in the universe”. All nine planets (or eight if you exclude Pluto) in our solar system rotate. Some, like Mercury – whose day is longer than its year – rotate slowly. Others, like Jupiter – whose day is a mere ten earth-hours – rotate very rapidly. But this rotating keeps the planets and stars from collapsing under their own gravity and keeps them from self-destruction.[i]
Complacency Avoidance
In a way, most people feel like they’re in a dizzy sort of motion, in a constant state of agitation, kept spinning by the badgering of adverse circumstances. But as much as we yearn for stillness and tranquility, the God-sent motion in our lives is essential to our spiritual health. Without motion and change in our lives, stagnation and staleness of spirit results.
The Scripture agrees with this when it says, “And we boast in our tribulation, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance and perseverance brings about proven character, and proven character brings about hope and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been shed abroad within our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:3-5).
Prayer
Dear Father in heaven, how I yearn for peace and tranquility in my life! Help me to understand the value of the agitation and adversity that rattles me and sends me spinning. Cause my pain to become gain – both in my life and in the lives of others. Amen.
[i] Information from 365 Fascinating Facts from the World of Discovery
