It was an unusually cool summer night, and the sky was so full of stars, that I had to stop and take notice of them. I marveled that God had placed each one in its own special place. We were at the lake and away from city lights; it was pitch black and God’s creation was lit up like the sky on the fourth of July. What a spectacular sight! The clear sharp glistening of each star was absolutely breath taking. I stopped our grandchildren and told them to stand still and look up. They stood amazed at the incredibly beautiful sight. We stood there several minutes, until the Oklahoma mosquitoes began to disrupt our moment of awe and wonder.
That night the sky was a witness of God’s amazing creation; it was a moment I will always remember. How unique that He placed each star specifically in its place to shine and reflect His glory. “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory.” Isaiah 6:3
As I witnessed where God had uniquely placed each star in order to shine and reflect Him, each playing its part, I thought about the place God has given me in His creation – His story. I have a part to play, and to be honest, at times I’ve not wanted to play the part or take up the position God has chosen for me.
Seven years ago, God began to rewrite the story-line of our lives. Up until that time, the story was going according to my likes and desires. Mark refers to the journey God has put us on these seven years as a play. As we change from scene to scene, God places others on the stage with us; some for the entire length of the story, and some coming on the stage for a short time, just to exit stage right and never return, but each playing their part.
There have been many times that I desired to be the stagehand, instead of playing one of the main characters. I am much more comfortable backstage than I am out front! But, for this story, God has chosen to place Mark and me in front of the curtain, center-stage.
For the past few years, Mark has quoted Romans 8:28 and then said, “You know this verse is true, don’t you, and that it doesn’t matter the way in which God chooses to write our story; He will work it all together for our good and His glory.” For a long time, I struggled with this verse and the way in which God was choosing to write our story. How much like the Father that the one who has been diagnosed with a rare condition that has robbed him of the life he once knew, came to the realization of this verse long before his wife!
But, as we have journeyed with Him and taken up the unique place or position He has chosen for us, I can see the truth and absoluteness of this verse, as clearly as I saw the brilliant star-filled sky that night. Each star hung in its place for the glory of God reflecting His brilliance to the world.
At times in the writing of this story, I have been overwhelmed at the Father’s love for Mark and me, His children. He loved me so much that He placed me on that hilltop in Oklahoma, on a summer night this past July, to witness His incredible creation and to show me His power and glory. “The heavens declare the glory of God.” Psalm 19:1. God has placed us, in His story, in this place or position, in order to use us that His glory will be reflected in our lives- what an incredible God!
There was no light to detract from the brightness of the stars, only darkness as a backdrop allowing the stars to shine even brighter for the glory of God! For so long, all I could see was the darkness of our circumstances, but it has been against that darkness that God has shown through in all His glory. It has been breathtaking at times; I stand amazed at the incredibly beautiful sight He is creating- to Him be all glory and praise!
Father, how amazing and unique You are in Your creation, and in the way in which You choose to write Your story with our lives. Thank you for positioning me within Your story that You might shine brightly and be glorified. I could never “play” (live out) the part without your indwelling, sustaining strength and power. I will never understand the darkness you have allowed, but I have come to realize that it is the backdrop on which your powerful glory shines. May I submit to Your script for my life, and in that, shine in order to reflect You to a dark world.
“O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, who have set Your glory above the heavens! O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth.” Psalm 8:1 and 9
“I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works.” Psalm 145:5
“Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid; for Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song: he also has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works (faith) and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
dianne