Looking Out and Looking In
Microscopes, Telescopes, and Faith

Gordon Atkinson

The invention of the microscope and the telescope marked an end to our provincial view of the world. “What you see is not what you get.” The world turned out to be much larger and much smaller than anyone could ever imagine.

With the discovery of the microscopic and macroscopic worlds came doubts and challenges. Some closed their eyes and pretended that the new worlds did not exist. The size and challenge of knowing the great and the small was too scary. Others found the beauty of the large and small world to be a testimony to the wonder of God.

The world of faith has its microscopic and macroscopic views. God has called us to look inward and outward. He has shown us that our souls are deep and wide, requiring our attention. God has also turned our eyes to the world around us. No longer can we be comfortable in our own communities. We are called to care for the whole world. The human family has become our family.

Some people are frightened of their own souls and of the world around them. They live in a provincial land of denial, afraid to look to deeply inside themselves and too selfish to give themselves to the world. For those who are ready to become pilgrims and wanderers, the nurture of the soul becomes a spiritual frontier, and the care of God’s humanity a joyous calling.

Are you ready for the inward and outward journey of faith?

Put an eye on it