No Haphazard Sprinkle

“God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.” Genesis 1:16

“O Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens…

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
    the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
    and the son of man that you care for him?

Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
    and crowned him with glory and honor.” Psalm 8:1,3-5

“The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
    and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words,
    whose voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out through all the earth,
    and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
    which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
    and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
    and its circuit to the end of them,
    and there is nothing hidden from its heat.” Psalm 19:1-6

Taking time to gaze into the infinite vault of heaven and contemplate the stars sobers the ego and corrects all inflated views of self. The longer beheld, the more seen, the brighter divine illumination of darkened perception, and the smaller man is in comparison. And yet, this Creator God who placed each moon, star, and planet made man as the jewel of creation, crowning him with glory and honor in His image and calling him by name to live for His glory. (Genesis 1:26-27; Isaiah 43:1,4-7)

Many times we feel small, not especially significant. Gazing amazed long enough at the dark sky with its twinkling array, we realize this is no haphazard sprinkle. Promises are in place. Plans cannot be thwarted. We are nowhere apart from God’s splendid order and orbit. Immersing ourselves in a majestically thought-out masterpiece executed with precise artistry and gravity and sustained by the Almighty’s infinite power, we are hushed, and drawn. The Lord’s Spirit welcomes us into His design. (Job 42:2; Psalm 8:3-5; Proverbs 21:30; Acts 17:24-26; Colossians 1:16-17)

Easily we get caught up in the tyranny of the urgent, pressed by responsibility or captivated by a myriad of manipulated distractions to what bears true significance. If we actually timed ourselves and counted the minutes become hours wasted in meaningless occupation, what would we change? If we spent part of that time beholding God in grateful worship, and soaking in His word, how different would be our attitudes toward others, or work, or the mundane? How about our mindset and worldview of current events? Stress could be reduced by biblical assurances, anxiety diminished by heavenly peace, and efficiency increased by clearer, more focused thinking.

Considering our private world and disciplines of life, where will we reduce haphazard use of time to more thoughtfully come under God’s gracious order? Where will we make an effort to fit better into His design in our marriages, families, churches, workplaces, communities? How can we live more purposeful days to better reflect His glory?

Lord, inspire me by Your beauty, power, and gravity, to Your unending praise.