Wednesday, May 31, 2023

“Do all things without murmuring and arguing, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world, holding forth the word of life so that I can boast on the day of Christ that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.” (Philippians 2: 14 -16, New Revised Standard Version)

    

            Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
            How I wonder what you are!
            Up above the world so high,
            Like a diamond in the sky.`

          I am sure that, like me, this may be one of the very first nursery songs you ever learned as a child. I know that our grandkids all can sing it. This one and maybe, Row, Row Your Boat. So you know, it was written by Jane Taylor in the early 1800’s.

When I turn out the light at bedtime, I can see through the window a very bright star. It is usually the only one that I can see because of the city light pollution. But it is very bright against the dark, night sky. My crack research team, namely me, has identified this light is not technically a star but the planet Venus. Venus is 38 million miles away from Earth, or .0024 light years away. The latter might not sound like much but you might want to pack an over night bag if you want to make the trip. Venus spins in the opposite direction of earth and being so close to the sun it is very hot, volcanic and inhabitable. It is the brightest object in the sky except for the moon.

The astronomical details aside, I get a great deal of comfort looking at this bright planet, gathering my thoughts and prayers at the end of a day. In a world full of so much crazy and bad news, I find it reassuring to look upon this star and consider its constancy in the universe. “When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers - the moon and the stars you set in place - what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?” (Psalm 8: 3 -4, New Living Translation)

This light, so far away and yet so visible, reminds me that our Creator is an awesome God. “Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights - His faithful love endures forever. The sun to rule the day, His faithful love endures forever. and the moon and stars to rule the night. His faithful love endures forever.” (Psalm 136: 7 -9, NLT)  It reminds us that God’s Love cuts through the murky pollution of Sin and Evil. It reminds us of a Bethlehem star and the Good News incarnated in Jesus who has been called the Morning Star.

But like Venus which is reflecting the light of the sun, we are called also to reflect the Light of the Son. “Carry the light-giving Message into the night…” urges Paul (The Message Bible). Shine like stars in the world.

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5: 14 -16, TMB)

Did you know that there are other verses to Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star?  It’s a shame that we don’t sing them all. “Then the trav'ller in the dark, Thanks you for your tiny spark, He could not see which way to go, If you did not twinkle so.”

The followers of Jesus are called to be beacons of Love, Hope, Joy, Peace and Justice in a world that can be dark and cold, especially for the vulnerable, the poor, the victims of racism and prejudice, the broken and lost, the alienated and those waking in darkness.

“God counts the stars and calls them all by name.” (Psalm 147:4, NLT) Are we counted and known to be among the stars of the faithful people of God?

Shine, people, shine!

Dale