The Star

The morning sky was heavy with blackness and I welcomed the solitude and stillness. It’s not very often that I’m up at 5:40 in the morning, but this particular morning found me sitting in my usual spot, Bible in hand and my two favourite devotionals next to me. The birds and squirrels were noticeably absent. Probably too early and for sure, too cold. And it was certainly too early for our neighbourhood dog to greet the world with his aggressive and commanding voice.

The temperature at -32 Celsius in no way enticed me to begin my day. So with the darkness of the morning sky as my companion, I snuggled down with a blanket, my Bible, my devotions, and my morning go-to beverage: chai tea with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon, a drink that I’m sure the rest of the world would equate with coffee. [I realize that calling my beverage “chai tea” is redundant as ‘chai’ means ‘tea,’ but I’m going with that name to keep things simple.]

After a quick sip of my tea, I leaned forward and placed my mug on the coffee table and took a passing look at the sky through our balcony sliding doors. It was then I noticed it: a bright star blinking high in the black sky. I  riveted my gaze on it, unable to explain what it was that struck me with such intense wonder. After all there are millions of stars in the sky, so why marvel at this one? Perhaps it was the stillness of the hour. The solitude. The blackness. I’m not sure what, but I stared at it for a long time, before breaking from the hypnotic spell and returning to my reading and my tea. When I looked up moments later, a single layer of cloud had moved over the star, blocking its light. Although I couldn’t see it, I knew it was still there, and smiled.

I was reminded of my Creator who “…determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name” (Psalm 147:4). God made that star, and all the stars for me to enjoy! How wonderful is that! Why not feel a sense of intense wonder! I was also reminded that, in the same way I couldn’t see the star behind the veil of cloud and yet knew it was there, I can’t see God, but I know He’s there! God is ALWAYS present: “For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Fear not, I am the one who helps you’” (Isaiah 41:13).

During these days of uncertainty and unrest, we must not let the ‘veil’ of fret, worry, or fear block our ‘vision’ of God. That shining star reminded me that our lives and this world are in God’s hands. He is in control, not man!

God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day
and the lesser light to govern the night.
He also made the stars.
God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth,
to govern the day and the night,
and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1: 16-18

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
Psalm 19:1-4