There have been some clear night skies lately, displaying the Big Dipper, its ladle pointing toward the north, Orion high in the south, and in between, a profusion of glimmering points of light.
Don brokered a house sale recently to a couple from the big city. Their 23 year old son had come along to help them move. They arrived after dark and were moving some of their belongings off the truck when the son called to his mother, "Mom, come over here, you've got to see this." She joined him in a cleared area, and followed his gaze. Then, sucking in her breath, she exclaimed in amazement, "The stars! I've never seen so many stars!"
In college I had a class called Bible Introduction. In addition to our class work, our much loved professor gave out a somewhat unusual assignment. Sometime during the course of the semester, students were to find a safe place out in the country, far from the city lights, and on a clear night (which was a challenge in Oregon) lay on the ground for 1/2 hour, watching the stars, and focus their attention on God. I think it was a good exercise, and mostly I remember feeling very small in the presence of the One who made it all.
He who made the Plieades and Orion,
who turns blackness into dawn,
and darkens day into night, the Lord is His name.
Amos 4:13
And these are but the outer fringe of His works;
How faint the whisper we hear of Him!
Who, then can understand the thunder of His power.
Job 26:14
