He counts the stars
and calls them all by name. – Psalm 147:4

One thing I miss about the expansive western sky is the way the stars came out at night. Oh my. Oh. My.

One minute dusk is gathering, purpling the sky and lending a magical air to the quiet. Expectation. The world holds its breath. And then. Oh then, the sigh comes in the form of dazzle and glitter, so amazing that the eyes cannot take it all in. The mind cannot process that much beauty. Night after night, it never got old. Never dulled. Never failed to awe.

I think God knew. He knew that there was only one backdrop that would showcase the celestial properly. See, the stars weren’t chosen for the night sky. The night sky was chosen for the stars. Not just any old dark would do. No, it had to be inky black, stretched velvet and fathomless over the curve of the earth. When you find the perfect diamond, it’s worth the time and effort to create a flawless setting.

God is more glorious than the moon;
he shines brighter than the stars. – Job 25:5

I’ve been thinking a lot about the stars lately, and how the dark was created just for them to have their moment. Sometimes our lives are like that, too.

Sometimes the glory God needs the world to see… the twinkle that will cause their breath to catch as they lift their eyes to take in the awesome wonder… sometimes that glory can only be perched on the inky black. Sometimes the black has to be stretched as far as the eye can see. It has to be endless dark.

Sometimes, in some lives, the glow, the other-worldly glow that seems so very out of place in what should be a vaccum, needs the night to shine.

For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. – 2 Corinthians 4:6-7

If you’re in that place today, take a moment to look around you. See those people who are staring? They’re caught up in the wonder. See the warm glow that gives form to things around you? That’s coming from within YOU, and it’s what draws others to you.

Shine on, Dear Ones. You are not lost and forgotten here in the black. It’s simply the only setting that would do.

 

Dear Lord, You are the only One who could create not only the diamonds, but the perfect setting of the pitch black night sky. Thank You for using the broken to showcase Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…

 

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May God Bless You,

Shelly