The news reports of the last couple of days carried headlines declaring: "Northern Lights Mysteries Revealed." This week NASA ‘released findings that indicate magnetic explosions about one-third of the way to the moon cause the northern lights, or aurora borealis, to burst into spectacular shapes and colors, and dance across the sky.’ The scientists have their reasons for trying to ‘solve’ the mystery of this amazing night show. It is the hope of developing ways of knowing how geomagnetic storms disrupt the satellites in orbit that no doubt power many of the things we now rely upon. I am….in my very, very, non-scientific mind…thinking this means things like cell phones, digital television and GPS systems.

Truth be told, I have been just fine not having any clue how it all happens. How the sky can fill with green and red and purple shoots of light that undulate and move with the grace of Fred Astaire across the sky,  while accompanied by that faint piercing hum of an other worldly music. I have been satisfied with the miracle of it all.

I still remember the first time I ever saw the Northern Lights. It was a late summer evening on what is known as the ‘upper field’ at our church’s retreat center, Koinonia, just west of Annandale, Minnesota. Walking up the hill, I noticed the humming first, a high, faint pitch that permeated the air. When I came to the top of the hill and onto the flat surface of the parking lot, people were already standing there looking toward the horizon and the ballet of color that was moving with wild abandon across the sky. No one spoke. How could we? We were held in the smallness of what it means to be humans witnessing a miracle. Since that time I have seen the aurora borealis only twice more. I pray my life has a few more opportunities left in it.

Scientists have their reasons for solving mysteries and we have all reaped the rewards of their research. I am thankful for their gifts, their education and their curiosity. But as for me, I am content with the wonder and awe of the Mystery.

"Everybody’s wonderin’ what and where they all came from.
Everybody’s worryin’ ’bout where they’re gonna go when the whole thing’s done.
But no one knows for certain and so it’s all the same to me.
I think I’ll just let the mystery be."  ~Iris Dement

Have a wonderful weekend……………….