Shine Like Stars? 

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.  Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.”
Philippians 2:14-16 (NIV)

If we are to shine like stars then let’s consider starlight. As observable from earth, starlight is said to be 1,500 times dimmer than the moon, and the moon 400,000 times dimmer than the sun. So for us the sun is 600 million times brighter than all the observable light from the collective other stars put together (estimated at up to 300 sextillion).

Jesus shines like the sun (Revelation 1:13-18, Matthew 17:2), and without the sun life on earth would cease. When we are in the sunshine we don’t see starlight so what’s the point of shining like stars?

Well we aren’t always in the sunshine and that’s when we need stars. Other Bible versions use words like ‘beacons’ or ‘luminaries’ instead of ‘stars.’ A luminary can be defined as ‘a person who inspires others, a guiding light’ (compare Matthew 2:2, 9).

So just as stars have always been guiding lights for navigation, so we should twinkle as gentle guides when friends and colleagues are in the dark.

Prayer
Dear Jesus, you are essential to our existence, but we sometimes lose sight of you. Please use us as guides to help guide each other back to you.
Amen

Study by Mike Stratton

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About the Author:
Mike Stratton is a member of the Norwich Congregation of the Worldwide Church of God UK.

Local Congregation:
Worldwide Church of God Norwich
New Hope Christian Centre
Martineau Lane
NORWICH NR1 2HX

Meeting Time:
Saturday 10:30am

Local Congregational Contact:
Tony Goudie
Phone: 01508 498165
Mobile: 07931 580409
Email:  tony_goudie@wcg.org.uk