Lighting the Way

Did you know that with all our twenty-first century technology—technology that can send messages across the world in an instant, microwave a meal in minutes, and set out on a mission to Mars—there’s one thing we still can’t do?

Count the stars.

Scientists believe there are approximately 100 billion stars wrapped around the skies of the earth, just here in our own Milky Way Galaxy. Give or take a million or so. And there are countless others in the countless other galaxies beyond ours.

I love that. I love that even our best and brightest minds can’t pin down the number.

Because the heavens declare not only the glory of God but also the sheer vastness and power and wonder of Him. From the moment He scattered those first twinklings across the sky with the breath of His voice (Genesis 1:16; Psalm 33:6), stars have lit up our skies, guided our journeys, and brightened our lives.

Especially that one star . . .

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” . . .

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. (Matthew 2:1–2, 9–11, NIV)

His star. The star that shone down on the hope of salvation.

A Season of Stars

This is the season of stars, isn’t it? Stars in the heavens, stars on our trees, and stars sprinkled across the landscapes of our holidays.

All those twinkling stars lighting up the night and chasing away the darkness. Because that’s what God created stars do.

And in so many ways, I believe that’s what He created us to do too. . . .

You will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. (Philippians 2:15–16)

Our Time to Shine

There’s no question that there is darkness in this world. And while that darkness may sometimes seem overwhelming, God promises that His light will always pierce through the darkness (John 1:5, NLT). We can be part of that, you know. We can actually work with God and be a part of piercing through lighting up that darkness.

The Christmas season, in particular, offers us opportunities to shine that few other times of year do. Because there’s no escaping the season. Not even the most heart-hardened Scrooge can duck and dodge away from every single Christmas carol and nativity display. So, this is it. Our chance to tell others about Him with our words, our actions, or simply with our love. This is our chance to shine!

How to Shine

While the number of the stars might be a mystery to us, shining like one of them isn’t. God’s Word tells us how. Here’s a top ten:

1. Love Him. (Matthew 22:37)
2. Love our neighbors (a.k.a. everyone). (Matthew 22:39)
3. Love our enemies. (Luke 6:27–28)
4. Forgive as we’ve been forgiven. (Ephesians 4:32)
5. Return evil with goodness and grace. (Romans 12:17)
6. Pray for others. (2 Timothy 2:1)
7. Be kind. (Galatians 6:9–10)
8. Don’t grumble and complain. (Philippians 2:14)
9. Encourage one another. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
10.  Share and give. (Hebrews 13:16)

So, what are we waiting for? Let’s get out there and shine!