Shining Stars

 

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.”

—Daniel 12:3

As a child who grew up in the 1950s, whenever I look up at the night sky, I can’t help but think of the tune “When You Wish Upon a Star.” This song written by Leigh Harline and Ned Washington for Walt Disney’s 1940 adaptation of Pinocchio was sung by Cliff Edwards in the character of “Jiminy Cricket.” You will likely remember the lyrics:

When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are.
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you.

If your heart is in your dream,
No request is too extreme.
When you wish upon a star
As dreamers do.

Fate is kind.
She brings to those to love
The sweet fulfillment of
Their secret longing.

Like a bolt out of the blue
Fate steps in and sees you through.
When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true.

A sky full of shining stars holds a particular fascination for we earth-bound humans. The more we learn about the vast universe that surrounds our planet, the more we feel the enormity of God’s marvelous creation. The more we sense how far-reaching the universe really is, the more we recognize how blessed we are to have a personal relationship with the God who created all things.

The Christian artist Sandi Patty sings a wonderful song that begins with these words:

Who filled the sky with radiant stars
   to glorify the night.
Who knows the path that leads up
   to the dwelling place of life.
Creator, Master, Holy One,
   Sustainer of my soul—
He reigns in golden splendor:
   Almighty God! Almighty God!

Here is a lovely version of this song:

The Prophet Daniel makes an interesting statement, as recorded in Daniel 12:3, regarding those who follow the pathway that God has opened up for them:

Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.

We may not think of ourselves as “shining stars.” But, in God’s eyes, we are brilliant beams of His marvelous Light in this sin-darkened world.

As we begin another day, let’s praise God that He continues to mold us into the image of His holiness—a task that we are completely unable to complete on our own. As we respond to the gentle nudgings of the Holy Spirit and strive to become more and more obedient to God’s revealed will, we will, indeed, become the shining stars that He wants us to be.

 

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