Look Up

The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
    The skies display his craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
    night after night they make him known.
They speak without a sound or word;
    their voice is never heard.
 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
    and their words to all the world.
~Psalm 19:1-4 (NLT)

Recently, in my morning devotion, the emphasis was on how God speaks to us through His creation.  For me, this is very true.  He doesn’t speak to me in an audible voice, but I feel His presence and sense His voice when I am paying attention to the created world around me. If I quiet my mind and open my heart to the possibility, I encounter God in the roar of the ocean, the chirping of birds, a gentle breeze on my face, the majesty of the mountains, and in the sky above.

I agree with what David wrote in Psalm 19:1. “The heavens” do, indeed, “proclaim the glory of God.”  Think about it. Have you ever felt the promise of a new day when watching a sunrise, or heard the whisper of God’s calming presence in a sunset?  I have. When a rainbow appears in the sky, are you reminded that God is a God who keeps his promises? Do you see God’s consistency and faithfulness in the waxing and waning of the moon? My answer to these is, “yes, sometimes.” And what about the stars?  Do you, like me, find reassurance and hope in the stars?

Many years ago, I had an encounter with God through the beauty and mystery of a nighttime sky that I still remember today.  I found hope in the stars.

Shortly after graduation, I spent a few months with my dad and stepmom at their home in the mountains of Clayton, Georgia.  I loved spending time with them, but I missed the rest of my family and my friends.  One night, after several days of rain and dreary skies, I was feeling sad and lonely. I noticed that the rain had stopped, and I felt led to go outside.  I wandered on to the deck behind the house and as I did, something told me I needed to look up.  So, I did. The clouds had all disappeared and the clear night sky was full of stars.  I laid down on the deck and looked up in awe at the heavens above me.  It’s hard to describe how may stars I could see on that cloudless night in the mountains, away from any town or city lights.  I could even see parts of the Milky Way.  It was amazing and powerful, and I could “hear” God telling me not to be discouraged because He was with me, and I would be okay.  Yes, when I looked up that night, I had a special encounter with the Creator, and I found hope in the stars.

Here is a quote from Max Lucado that I would like to share:

“Welcome Jesus into the midst of this turbulent time.  Don’t let the storm turn you inward. Let it turn you upward.”

It’s easy to feel discouraged, sad, angry, and confused with all that is going on in the world today.  But we can’t let those feelings take over.  When you are feeling overwhelmed, I encourage you to look up to the heavens. There is hope to be found in the stars and the Son.

Be blessed, my friends!