STARS

    Sometimes it is hard to believe that God is with us, that He is alive.  When I am in doubt, I need only to look up into the night sky and see His stars to be reassured once more that He is real.  
Sometimes when I can't make sense of life, I climb into the back of my dad's truck at night, lie on my back, look up at the stars, and allow the beauty of His universe to swallow me up...and I talk to God.  Talk to Him unhindered by my earthly troubles, because I am too aware of His glory--and His love--to notice.

    I believe this sentiment is universal; people all around the world look up at the stars every night and are faced with the reality that there is a Creator behind the celestial splendor that they see.  King David proclaims in Psalm 19:

The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.
Day unto day utters speech,
And night unto night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech nor language
Where their voice is not heard.
Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.

    
    Jon Foreman continues this thought beautifully in his song "Stars."  I included the words below.

Maybe I've been the problem, maybe I'm the one to blame
But even when I turn it off and blame myself, the outcome feels the same
I've been thinkin maybe I've been partly cloudy, maybe I'm the chance of rain
Maybe I'm overcast, and maybe all my lucks washed down the drain

I've been thinking 'bout everyone, everyone you look so lonely

But when I look at the stars,
when I look at the stars,
when I look at the stars I see someone else
When I look at the stars,
the stars, I feel like myself

Stars lookin at our planet watching entropy and pain
And maybe start to wonder how the chaos in our lives could pass as sane
I've been thinking bout the meaning of resistance, of a hope beyond my own
And suddenly the infinite and penitent begin to look like home

I've been thinking bout everyone, everyone you look so empty

But when I look at the stars,
when I look at the stars,
when I look at the stars I see someone else...

Here's the music video:

    The video is admittedly a little strange and theatrical, but that somehow seems appropriate considering the profound subject matter.

    Next time you look at the stars, think of Who created them.  Think of Who created you.  Remember that only God is truly capable of filling the emptiness in your life.  Remember that God, bigger, greater than the entire universe, loves you so much that He became a human and  humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross to make it possible for you to come to Him, despite your flaws.  Despite my flaws.  

    Thank God that there IS Someone Else, and that His name is Jesus Christ, because I could never make it here on earth without Him by my side!