Starry Eyes

When was the last time you took time to pause in wonder, and stand in rapt awe as you stared into the night sky? I am not talking about just a fleeting glance. I am talking about a long lingering look into the heavens.

The problem is we hardly ever look up anymore. We scurry around from task to task so preoccupied with the little things in front of us that we never stop to take in the majestic things above us.

How long has it been since you lay in the grass and looked for Orion’s belt or pointed out the big dipper to your children or grandchildren. Taking valuable time to stare at the stars seems wasteful, frivolous, and maybe even childish to our over-scheduled selves.

In the Navy, my job was Navigator of the ship I was stationed on. My position was on the bridge, one of the highest points of the ship. My favorite time to be up there was on what we called the, “Mid Watch”. That’s the time between Midnight and 4AM in the morning.

I liked this because besides being quiet, we always ran in a minimal lights status. That is to say, all lights on the exterior of the ship were out (except for some small running lights) and any room on the ship that led to the outside, had red lights. This is because we normally didn’t want to be seen.

The great thing about this is I could step outside into a very peaceful world. Stepping out into this was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. All you could see was the stars (literally millions of them), the moon and hear the lapping of the waves alongside of the ship.

Every sense within your self was soaking in something that was one of the most peaceful feelings I have ever experienced. From the beautiful view I described, to the soft warm breeze blowing against your face. From the smell of the ocean to the light salt taste on your lips from the ocean spray. But the stars were always breathtaking.

Psalm 19:1, 2 - 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 display knowledge.

The heavens show us the handiwork of God. The stars are a display of his creativity and his power. The universe is a testimony to his wisdom. If what we see in the sky was made on purpose, then it was made for purpose.

You don’t have to be an astrobiologist to see that not only is the Earth in a prime location for life, but also observation. If we were not at the exact spot that we occupy right now the view would be obscured so much that it would be impossible to make any real observation. Our views would be so compromised that we wouldn’t be able to determine the structure of our own galaxy, much less the universe.

Those aren’t just twinkling little stars in the sky. They are God communicating with us. They are God revealing himself to us. And yet, Human language even when it is inspired by the Holy Spirit will never be able to paint a full and complete picture of God’s glory.

The next time you turn your gaze upward take some time to stare. Because a quick glance upward isn’t enough time for your brain to understand what it is seeing. Just when you begin to grasp the majesty and the complexity of what you are looking at remember, it was all spun off of his fingers. This universe we are so impressed with is his playground.

This view is a testimony not just to his existence, but to his greatness.

Isaiah 40:25, 26 - “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.
Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.

Interesting comparison, isn’t it?

Want to view God's greatness?

I recommend you get some stars in your eyes!