Inspired by Complexity

Image credit: NASA. All rights reserved. Used with permission.[/caption] In the last couple months my husband and I watched a program by National Geographic called "One Strange Rock." It’s currently available on Netflix. This is the most amazing story of the incredible planet we live on. This is a combination of Earth science, natural history, and a smidgen of comedy, all set to a beautiful cosmic soundtrack. Told by narrator Will Smith and 8 American astronauts, this series sheds light on how they have come to appreciate our planet from afar, and how they have come to really see earth as one place with one people all united by our common home. We are earthlings. The conclusion they reached is that most likely, there is nothing quite like us out there. When you watch the series, you will come to understand unique scientific events that made our planet, and life on it just the way it is. This show is a very fast, brilliantly colored science lesson that will captivate your every sense. I walked away each time wanting to binge-watch the entire 10 episodes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8rp81xjaxk In each episode, you are exposed to many cultures and peoples that you may never have even heard of. They show religious and cultural practices from around the world. Every time we sat to watch the show I found myself saying over and over that I had never heard of these places, or these scientific explanations. I was in complete amazement and wonder at how Earth's systems are woven together and how beautifully complex our planet is. That’s hard to believe when you have had your eyes open for nearly 50 years, read, watch TV, travel, and don’t live under a rock. National Geographic collected video from around the globe in some of the most dangerous and stunningly beautiful areas to grab your attention. And don’t underestimate the powers of time-lapse photography.

Courtesy of National Geographic. All rights reserved. Used with permission.[/caption] After watching this program you will have an understanding of how our sun works to help us and the dangers we face as a planet. You will have a better knowledge of how our landscapes were formed and how we came to breathe. You will have a deeper appreciation for the volcanoes, oceans, forests, and weather patterns that rule our existence. You will learn about, our air supply, the protective shield of our atmosphere, and the magnetic shield that works to protect us from the sun. Everything is in perfect balance. You will see lots of footage from the international space station. From this vantage point earth is a far away home. The astronauts are unable to experience gravity, wind, hugs, sand between their toes and regular life as we take it for granted. Although life in space can be exciting, it gives the astronauts an extremely rare appreciation for life on earth. Vicariously, you will probably find yourself appreciating life on earth more too.

Photo credit: NASA. Courtesy of National Geographic. All rights reserved. Used with permission.[/caption] At the heart of it all you are watching this as a Christian. You know full well who created all this wonder. To have the opportunity to be exposed to God’s vast creative abilities within one planet, and to see how special we really are gives you an extraordinary appreciation that God cares for every detail, and has gone to great lengths to protect us on this planet. At the end of the day, we know that this life and this planet will come to an end. It is part of God’s plan, and it is evident from science. This life on Earth is fragile and precious. I encourage you to gain an even deeper appreciation and to share this with your children. You can watch One Strange Rock online at NationalGeographic.com.