Consider the Stars

Dear Friends,

As I write, the rain is pounding down and I’ve just returned from a rather soggy school run. It’s dark outside today and the leaves on the trees and hedges are slowly changing as autumn announces its arrival. The warm, balmy days of summer are behind us and we begin our journey into the darker months of the year with shorter days and colder temperatures. Our heating is on and I’m seriously considering digging out my electric blanket!

Heading into winter this year feels more challenging than most years. We know it’s going to be very different and many of the things we look forward to might not be able to happen, or at least not in the same ways. We might be tempted to feel fearful but before we allow ourselves to do that, let’s remind ourselves about what the Bible says about darkness…

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
John 1 v5

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.
Ephesians 5v8

I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.
John 8v12

I don’t know about you, but the time when I am tempted to fear the most is at night. Everything seems worse at night. We can be robbed of sleep and the morning can take forever to arrive. In the dark of night our minds can play tricks on us and it’s harder to cling to the things we know to be true, or to hold on to the promises of God.

As someone who, for many years, had my sleep broken by children, I’m used to not sleeping the whole night through. Sometimes, when sleep escapes me, I find I have my most honest conversations with God and I find I can lay bare my innermost feelings and concerns. It’s so very comforting to do what Jesus said when he spoke the words, ‘Come to me all you who are tired and carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest.’ We are not supposed to carry our concerns around with us, weighing us down, like the over-filled rucksacks my children insist on lugging to school every day jammed full of heavy books. We have a God who longs to share the load, a God with whom we can place our worries and leave them, knowing they are safe, that we are safe.

I’ve been listening to a song a lot recently called, ‘Consider the Stars’. The lyrics, printed below, speak powerfully about why we do not need to be afraid. I was particularly struck by the line, ‘Consider the stars in the sky, when it is darkest they shine out the brightest.’ Perhaps next time you can’t sleep you’ll take a look out of the window and remember these words and how we are promised that the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness will never overcome it.

Yours in Christ,
Lucy

Consider the Stars, by Keith & Kristyn Getty

Consider the stars in the sky;
Look up and wonder, can you count their number?
Consider the stars in the sky;
Umbrella to hide in, a dance floor of heaven.

Do not be afraid

Consider the stars in the sky;
When it is darkest they shine out the brightest
Consider the stars in the sky
In every anguish, Oh, child take courage

Do not be afraid
He who made all of this, and who holds all of this,
Holds you in his hands

Consider the stars in the sky;
Diamond in a ring. Over the Child King.
Consider the stars in the sky;
Grace He had promised, coming to find us

Do not be afraid
He who made all of this, says “You’re worth more than this,”
And holds you in his hands