God’s promises, stars in the heavens: more than we can imagine
By Dean Collins
One of the great joys of living in the country is the magnificent light show I enjoy almost any night. With no lights from the city to interfere with my view of the night sky, I am amazed at both the brightness of the stars and how many are visible. I probably shouldn’t be, but I am also surprised by how often spontaneous praise comes from my heart and lips when I look at the night sky.
One of the passages I am meditating on and praying every day this year is found in Philippians chapter 2:
”Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.“
I have memorized this passage and use it daily as a part of my prayers. It has both convicted me and given me great hope. I am convicted about my attitude as I consider Paul’s opening instructions: “Do all things without grumbling and disputing.” The first few days I quoted this verse to myself and to God, I breezed past these words while finding myself wanting to linger on shining as lights in the world instead.
Stars in the universe, light of the world
Today I was considering just a few of the many passages that refer to the stars in the universe and how we are told even by Jesus that we are the light of the world, a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden. But if I am reading Paul correctly, the brightness of our light is because we are called to be blameless and innocent children of God without blemish in a crooked and twisted generation. I don’t want to admit it, but it appears our grumbling and disputing are connected to the intensity of our ability to shine brighter than those in the world.
I don’t think I am generally combative in my attitudes with others, but I will confess there are days when I grumble to myself and even to God and find myself rehearsing various disputes with others in my head. Left unchecked, this internal grumbling and disputing can slip into actual grumbling and disputing which will limit others from seeing the light of Christ shining brightly. Attitude does, in fact, influence behavior.
Promises to Abraham, reflected through us
I went back and looked at God’s promises to Abraham. God had Abraham look at the sky one night and asked him if he could count the stars. As Abraham stared at the vastness above him, God gave him a promise that he would be the father of a group of people just as vast. It was a stunning promise to one who had no children. But truthfully, it would be a stunning promise no matter how many children you had.
God did keep his promise to Abraham. His promise led to the birth of Christ, and through Christ’s kingdom it continues to be kept even today and will until Jesus returns. God keeps all of his promises. God in the flesh, Jesus, told us we are the light of the world. We are to reflect God’s character and his promises to others through our connection to Jesus and through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
Spirit’s leading, character demonstrated
The Holy Spirit will never lead followers of Christ to grumble and fight with each other. And the Holy Spirit will never lead us to be arrogant, combative, and call each other names. Yet in our current election cycle, many who claim to follow Jesus have chosen to act more like the world than like Jesus.
Our attitude and our character must be demonstrated broadly and not just in our politics but in every area of life. I wonder just how broad and bright the church's influence might be if we all chose to do less grumbling and disputing so that we might truly be blameless and innocent children of God. The contrast against the behavior and attitudes of the world would result in a light so bright it would surely draw attention to God, and he would be glorified in us and through us.
It all starts with you and me quietly and humbly evaluating our attitudes and behaviors. As we repent of our tendencies to imitate the world, God will forgive us, fill us with his Spirit, and use us to reflect his love and glory far and wide.
Your time with God’s Word
Genesis 15:5; 22:17-18; 26:4; Philippians 2:14-16; John 1:4-5; 3:21 ESV
Photo by YoriHirokawa at istockphoto.com
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