You would be forgiven if you missed it, but last Monday, the Earth was farthest from the sun in its yearly orbit. It is called the aphelion, a Greek word meaning “apo” (away from) and “helios” (sun). Everything in our solar system has an aphelion, the point at which an object is farthest from the sun. The opposite is the perihelion or nearest point.
It seems counterintuitive that this point occurs during our warmest months, but the distance from the sun is negligible compared to the distance covered. The distance between the sun and the Earth averages 93 million miles, while the difference between the farthest and nearest point is only 3 million miles, meaning a slight overall variation of 3%. As far as temperature is concerned, there is no discernible change in surface temperature.
We know that the greatest factor in temperature change is the tilt of our planet relative to the sun. Because the Earth’s axis tilts at 23.5 degrees in relation to the sun, that is what gives us our seasonal shift, which in eastern Washington carries a huge swing of 80 degrees or more!
We sing the song “Only a Holy God,” and how true that is. Holy means separate and distinct. God is so far beyond us. From person to person, we all maintain an orbit that may seem like 93 million miles away. There is no one or nothing like God, as Hannah prays,
“There is none holy like the LORD: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.” (1 Samuel 2:2). There are moments we might be incrementally closer, but God is so much higher than we are (Isaiah 55:9). However, we should note that it is vital for us to desire to draw near to Him (James 4:8), to encircle Him a little tighter. We should not resolve to float aimlessly through space.
The greatest temperature swings, the moments we enjoy the most warmth, happen when we are aligned with the nature of God. Therefore, the best we can do is ensure that we are pointed toward Him and aligned with who He is. The biblical authors would describe this as facing God, or having His face shine upon us.
Psalm 27:4-9– “One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple. 5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. 6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD. 7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! 8 You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.” 9 Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation!”
Using the sun as a proxy for God is an imperfect metaphor; it conveys the heart condition that matters most. It is a heart inclined, tilted toward God, one that wants to enjoy and bask in the glory of who He is. It is a heart that desires above all else to be directed and pointed toward God. Put another way, merely going to a church service is proximity, distance traveled; a heart that seeks God is oriented toward Him, leaning toward Him. One should lead to another; if we are seeking God, that will lead us to fellowship with other Christians, but that is not always the case, the other way around. As we live our lives, it is important to know which way we are tilting.