As I was praying about this message for you two, God put on a heart a picture of the planet earth spinning. So I did a little research…

In the Philippines, which is close to the Equator, the Earth is spinning at just over 1,000 mph. Here in MN, because we are closer to the earth’s axis, we’re only spinning at about 700-800 mph.

That got me thinking about Merry-go-rounds. Not the slow ones with horses, but the ones you used to see at playgrounds: a metal, circular platform with bars to hold on to. Anyone remember those?

Us kids would climb on and then hold on for dear life because someone was spinning that thing as fast as they could. Eventually kids would fly off. The last one on the merry-go-round was the winner.

This is centrifugal force in action: Kids flying off a spinning object. Mmmm, I wonder why they don’t have those in playgrounds anymore.

When we are spinning on a merry-go-round, centrifugal force is pushing us off. So if the earth is spinning at 800 mph, why aren’t we flying off the planet?

Gravity. Gravity is a constant force that pulls us to the ground. Gravity is keeping us on this planet. It’s gravity that causes any two objects in the universe to be drawn to one another.

Ok, some of you are probably wondering if this is a wedding or a science class. Don’t worry, I’m coming to the point of all this.

Gravity is a bit of a mystery: where it comes from, why it does what it does.

What scientist cannot explain, the Bible does…

[Colossians 1:15-17] He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Who is this? Jesus. In Jesus all things hold together! The mystery behind gravity is Jesus. Did you know that God created everything for a purpose? All that we see around us, the air we breathe, the wind we feel, the things we discover about the universe…are all there to point us to God and His eternal truths.

So we have physical realities – the earth spinning, centrifugal force and gravity – pointing to spiritual truths. If gravity is holding us firmly in place physically, what holds us firmly in place spiritually? Grace!

Without the grace of God in our lives, we spin out of control and who knows where our lives end up. Like gravity, grace is a bit of a mystery until you turn to God’s word. What is the force behind grace – Jesus Christ.

[1 Corinthians 1:14] I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus…

Remember, gravity is that constant force that holds us to the ground, and is grace does the same thing: grace holds us firmly in place spiritually.

And remember, gravity draws two objects together and so does grace. It is the grace of God that drew you to Jesus for salvation. And it’s His grace that will hold you two together in marriage.

[1 Peter 3:7] Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.