Stars
- Jilian Brown
- Oct 8, 2021
- 5 min read
Updated: Nov 18, 2021
Psalm 8:3-9
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor.
You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet,
all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
I grew up in New Mexico, which is lovingly called the "Land of Enchantment." While growing up there, I found it difficult many times to uncover what this actually meant as large swaths of desert and living a 3-hour drive from the "big cities" felt less than enchanting, especially as a teenager. So, I went to college in the most opposite landscape I could think of at LSU in Baton Rouge. I wanted flowers and trees as far as the eye could see! There were actual trunnels on my drive to church every week. However, I realized after several months in Louisiana that I missed the sky. I had been so focused on what I could see on the ground that I forgot about the majesty of the skies in New Mexico. There is nothing comparable to the sunsets or stars that I have experienced in the desert. Granted, I have never been to Alaska or seen the Northern lights, but hopefully someday I will. The stars in New Mexico make the words of God to Abraham in Genesis 26:4 come alive as a promise bursting with meaning in a way that the often cloudy and tree-eclipsed skies of Louisiana or the DFW metroplex (where I have lived most of my adult life) can not.
It is good for our souls to see the expanse of nature. The ocean, the mountains, and the endless skies are all reminders of just how finite we are. Our smallness is not a characteristic to make us feel insignificant, but as the psalmist notes, it makes us grateful. How amazing that in all of creation throughout all time, I have this life that has been not only given, but purposed and "crowned with glory and honor." When we tap into the upside down nature of the Kingdom of God, these are the unthinkable realities we find. What should make us feel inconsequential in the grand scheme of things actually points us to our marvelous worth and reason for being. That great Artist painted an intensely intricate picture and gave me a place in it. And not just any place. He gave me a prominent position, a starring role, the human one. And we are all equally gifted this crown of glory as we share in the same humanity of that which Christ incarnate took upon himself (Romans 2:5-18). The great significance each human life bears in relation to the rest of creation is staggering. With this imago dei we carry, we also carry the responsibility of stewardship. I find one of the most exciting parts of life to be watching the unique giftedness and passions of people. For instance, I was always astounded at my children's preschool teachers. These precious people physically and creatively get on the level of little people to teach them new ideas and skills. It is such a special gift that is often overlooked. I marvel at all the various workers who have been on our property lately building, fixing, wiring, digging, and drilling. These are things I know absolutely nothing about. Even in the areas of life I know quite a bit about, I most definitely do not begin to know everything, which is made more and more abundantly clear with each passing day.
It is interesting to think we use the word, "star," to mean the most prominent or talented or special among a group. Why, I wonder do we not call people "suns?" Would that not denote their excessive brightness in relation to all around them? Of course I know that the sun is really a star, but what I do not think about very often is that it is actually not a giant star. The sun is actually quite average in size and it is only its proximity to us which makes it appear so large in comparison to the other stars.* If we think about stars, they are one among many. Even the big, bright, and close to us sun, is one star among many. God created each of these and each of us with our exact design and purpose in mind.
"Raise your eyes on high
And see who has created these stars,
The One who brings out their multitude by number,
He calls them all by name;
Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power,
Not one of them is missing."
Isaiah 40:26
This is the sovereignty of God: not one is missing. The opposite of missing is found (cue "You Will Be Found" from Dear Evan Hanson). The good news is that your life and my life are not only purposeful and intentional, but also unhidden from God's constant gaze. He sees. He knows. He loves, guides, and directs us. None of us shines brighter than the rest to the God who created us--we are all equally shiny and spectacular! I believe one reason I have always adored teaching private music lessons is for this reason. I see them all. Every student is a star to me. I get to hear their musical moments, their glimmers of perfection and I can see and hear what they usually do not. I can see what their hard work and dedication can accomplish even when they can not. I also get to know the person, the precious soul attached to the music-making. It is a privilege and gift I do not take for granted.
The rest of Isaiah 40 states:
Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth
Does not become weary or tired.
His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives strength to the weary,
And to the one who lacks might He increases power.
Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.
This is freedom. If your purpose eludes you for the moment, if your energy feels evaporated, if your strength seems atrophied, go outside and look at the stars. Take some deep breaths and wait for the Lord. His resources are inexhaustible and He is near. All we have to do is remember to look up.
Speaking of musical stars singing about stars, here is my LSU classmate and world renowned opera singer, Lisette Oropesa, singing one of my favorite pieces of music, "Sure on This Shining Night" by Samuel Barber:
Lyrics:
Sure on this shining night Of starmade shadows round, Kindness must watch for me This side the ground. The late year lies down the north. All is healed, all is health. High summer holds the earth. Hearts all whole. Sure on this shining night I weep for wonder Wandering far alone Of shadows on the stars.
Citations and Resources:
Recommended Reading:
(I write these posts based off the Sunday Proper, but there are readings for each day you can find at the link)
Job 1:1, 2:1-10 and Psalm 26
Genesis 2:18-24 and Psalm 8
Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12
Mark 10:2-16
Alaska is definitely on my short list of places to visit soon! And I agree about Africa! What is funny is that many times in Tanzania, I felt like I was in New Mexico, just with acacia trees and amazing animals. I would love to go back to Africa. God’s presence was permeating there.
Jilian,
You, my friend, are a gifted wordsmith! I always look forward to reading your newest posts! What wonder you invoke with this piece! I takes me back to the great and wonderous time I had in Alaska and Africa. In both places, I felt as if I could reach out my hand and touch the face of God. The stars were so wonderful and the Milky Way was at its brightest. Thank you for allowing yourself to be used by Christ in this medium. You bring a blessing and a breath of fresh air to your readers.