“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him.” Mt. 2:2
This fall John preached a sermon in which he asked the congregation to close their eyes and point to the direction they thought was north. This is a picture of what happened.
Although many got it right, there were also those who’d be in trouble if they were a migrating goose. One of the challenges of the with-God life is keeping our bearings. Aligning ourselves with God’s true north.
In my mind that boils down to remembering who I am, who God is, and acknowledging that I belong to Him.
God’s Word is our best compass, but there are other things He uses to right-size us and turn us around too.
I love thinking of the shepherds and the wisemen who seemed to pay attention to the night sky.
I’m struck by how seldom we stop at night and lift our eyes. I am enthralled with the way that taking time to look up at the stars can accomplish in my life, re-orientation like little else can.
Looking up seemed to greatly impact many of the biblical writers. Here are two of my favorites:
“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what are mere mortals that You are mindful of them, human beings that You care for them? You have made them a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned them with glory and honor.” Psalm 8:3-5
“To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. “Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength not one of them is missing.” Isaiah 40:25,26
Sometimes I envy the world of David and Joseph, and Paul who lived a more “outside” life without the distraction of streetlights. For most of us, seeking God in creation is more of a discipline.
“Oh holy night, the stars are brightly shining…”
What wonder and re-orientation might God awaken in you with a late night (or early morning :)) star-gaze this week?
