Wordsurfers
  • Home
    • About
  • Sermons
    • The Beatitudes
    • Parables
    • Fruits of the Spirit
    • The Seven Churches in Revelation
    • Living in Christ
    • The Gospel according to John
    • Daniel
    • Other Sermons
  • Publications
  • Thoughts
  • Key Readings
  • Prayers
  • "Quotes"
  • Gallery
  • Video

The Stars

4/2/2016

 
Picture
One of the marvellous things about living in rural Ireland is the lack of ‘light pollution’.  With less artificial light, when it gets dark it gets seriously pitch, and that means a clear night outside is like a trip to the planetarium!
There they are, the constellations in all their glory.  We can even see the misty white shimmer of the Milky Way right above our house.  Awesome!
I’ve learned to pick out some of the more obvious star groups.  Orion kind of dominates the night sky this time of year, but look over to the right of his ‘belt’ and you’ll find the cluster called Pleiades.  These two have been known from ancient times and are actually mentioned in the Bible. (Check out Job 38 v 31 or Amos 5 v 8.)
Probably the best known constellation, at least in the Northern Hemisphere is Ursa Major, the ‘Great Bear’, seven of whose stars make the famous ‘Plough’.  If you follow the line of the last two stars in the Plough you’ll find the North Star, also known as the Pole Star.  It is useful to navigators because while other stars appear to change position through the night and through the year, it remains in the same spot.  From that ‘fixed point’ we can figure south, east and west and hopefully find our way!
Looking to the stars for physical direction is one thing but the Bible warns people against astrology, superstitiously seeking tips on the future or good fortune from how stars may be aligned.  That’s why the ‘Wise Men’ were guided to Bethlehem to meet One greater than the stars!  It’s why the prophet Isaiah urged his listeners to humbly submit to the Almighty Who made the ‘starry host’.  (Isaiah 40)  This beautiful chapter encourages us to trust in the Maker of the stars Who leads His people gently like a shepherd and renews our strength.
Could we use some wisdom and guidance in life?  Look up.  Look beyond the sky and pray to the One enthroned above all.
Does it seem that guidance is not immediately forthcoming?
Perhaps we haven’t taken time to properly ask. 



Under the Stars
 
Lord, the road is twisty and dark, its edges unclear,
A stone wall or hedgerow perhaps, I’m not sure.
But the clouds are clearing, I can see stars,
Pleiades and Orion, like old friends smiling a greeting.
I spot the Great Bear and the Pole Star
And walk on with renewed confidence
Now I know which way is home.
 
I praise and thank you who made the starry host
And have come down to be my rescuer and guide.
I sense the rod and staff of the Good Shepherd
And know that I need fear no evil now.
 
Comforted by you, I am learning to trust, to ask, so -
Guide me Lord, in the decisions I must make this week, th
is year,
About study, work, friends, enemies,
Times, places, ideas, opportunities,
Things I love, hate, welcome or dread!
 
More, lift my eyes and thoughts above my own little world
To see and share your universal heart for your creation.
Lead me in paths of righteousness, truth and compassion.
Fire in me zeal like yours, to live in your will and pray without ceasing,
That all may discover your saving, leading light.
 
Amen


Comments are closed.

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014

Proudly powered by Weebly