Be A Bright Star

By Johnny Angel

Job 22:12 "Is not God in the heights of heaven? And see how lofty are the highest stars!" (NIV)

Psalms 53:[1] Only fools say in their hearts, "There is no God." They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; no one does good! [2] God looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if there is even one with real understanding, one who seeks for God. (NLT)

Psalms 8:[1] O LORD, our LORD, the majesty of your name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens. [2] You have taught children and nursing infants to give you praise. They silence your enemies who were seeking revenge. [3] When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers--the moon and the stars you have set in place--[4] what are mortals that you should think of us, mere humans that you should care for us? [5] For you made us only a little lower than God, and you crowned us with glory and honor. [6] You put us in charge of everything you made, giving us authority over all things--[7] the sheep and the cattle and all the wild animals, [8] the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents. [9] O LORD, our LORD, the majesty of your name fills the earth! (NLT)
Tonight I had a blast in my astronomy lab as we looked at Jupiter and Saturn through telescopes! Our observations required us to be out in the field for over an hour. I couldn't help but marvel at God as I looked around. A lot of interesting discussions came up while we were out there. People were talking about how fragile and delicate life is. They were discussing problems that we face and how life on Earth could be wiped out. But I just felt the joy, peace, and comfort that can only come from God. I know the One who put it all together. He is my father and friend. I have no fear for He is with me. He is in charge of it all, and He knows what is going on.

In the midst of thinking all this, I realized that there were people around me who could not feel the same peace as me. And I thought of people I have known who have gotten so frustrated with their professor's beliefs about evolution that they have shut him off completely. They have made it their mission to tell the professor how wrong that he is and how right that they are. But we cannot try to win anyone to our Lord without having a personal touch. If you look at Jesus, He formed relationships with nonbelievers and won them over. This summer I attended a student conference where we talked about relationships. One minister preached about a special ministry that he has of running a coffee house in Atlanta. All sorts of people come into his coffee shop. Many are not Christians. Many have lifestyles that most Christians would not be able to stand to be around. But he shows them love. He forms relationships with them and helps them know they are always welcome. He even takes some of them on mission trips where they do construction work. He shares devotions with them during the week praying that they will want to know Christ.

You may be wondering how that has anything to do with my astronomy lab or the verses above about how great that God is. If you think about how big the universe is, you probably cannot comprehend it. Scientists feel that it goes on and on and on. My professor was explaining that a photon of light can go around the Earth several times in one second. It can reach the Moon in 1 1/2 seconds. It can reach the Sun in a few minutes. It can reach Pluto in several hours. It can reach the nearest star besides the Sun in thousands of years. And that star is next door compared to how far away many others are. We cannot comprehend how big the universe is. God is even bigger than the universe. He created all of it. He knows whether or not it starts one place and ends another place.

As big as God is, He still cares about you and me though we are very small compared to everything else. He wants to love us and care for us. But we have to accept His Son to bridge the gap caused by sin. God wants us to be close to Him. He wants us to experience the peace and joy that only He can give.

God loves the people like the professors who are so big on science that they can't believe in God. And we don't always have to be forcing our faith on them. I'm not saying that we shouldn't let them know what we believe. But there are many cases where our actions are the biggest Bible that they will ever read. We need to grow close to God so He will shine out through us. We need to care the way that He cares.

Thank God for the beautiful sky that He has painted above us both day and night. Rejoice that He loves you and sent His Son to die for you thought you and I are small compared to the greatness of God and His creation. Let Him consume your life with the love, joy, peace, and fulfillment that only He can give.

Let your life be like the stars above shining bright for His glory. When people look at you, pray that they will see the Father's love shining through you!

N Prayer,
Johnny <*}}}><