Human beings have had a fascination with the universe. Scientists tell us that each star in the sky represents some galaxy light years away from earth. We are so drawn to what lies beyond our world that millions of dollars have been invested over time to send human beings into space. We have successfully landed men on the moon and currently have a working space station hovering above the earth's atmosphere. We have sent space probes and developed powerful telescopes to photograph planets we have yet to explore. What draws our attention to the stars?
Stars Draw People To Them.
If we think about the quality of stars, they illuminate a dark sky. The sun itself is classified as a star and it sustains life on earth as God in His wisdom positioned it approximately 93 million miles away. This distance keeps the earth from being too close so it doesn't burn up and just far enough away so the planet doesn't freeze over. Stars by their very nature draw people to them. Before the invention of clocks and calendars, human beings were guided to destinations through observing the stars. A star drew shepherds to a manger in Bethlehem as well as Magi to Herod's palace and ultimately to the house where they found Jesus. Celebrities are sometimes referred to as movie "stars" because people are drawn to them. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is comprised of cement squares with stars embedded in the sidewalks. The stars are permanent public monuments to achievement in the entertainment industry. People will often take pictures kneeling beside their favorite celebrity star.We Are God's Stars.
Paul tells believers that as we refrain from negative attitudes and behaviors, we stand apart from the sinful actions that are reflected in our culture. "We shine among them like stars in the sky" as we reflect the light of Christ to a darkened world. We are life givers and as a result we illuminate the darkness through holding on to the word of truth and sharing it with the world. In Daniel's vision of the end times, he is told, "Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like stars forever and ever. (Daniel 12:3) In the book of Revelation, Jesus is referred to as a star, "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star." (Revelation 22:16) In a way, followers of Christ can be characterized by the children's nursery rhyme, "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" "Twinkle, Twinkle little star, How I wonder what you are. Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky. Twinkle, Twinkle little star, How I wonder what you are." Do we reflect the light of Christ in such a way that people wonder who we are? May we continue to draw others to the bright Morning Star!To God be the glory!
Pastor Sheree
