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? (Psalm 8:3,4 ESV)
Stars and Hope
Extravagant (not merely in price) gifts are indications of care.
Once when I was leaving a congregation, an artist friend gathered bits and pieces of reminders of my time in the church and town. The handle of a coffee mug from the radio station that I enjoyed. Bits of plates and cutlery from friends’ kitchens. Rocks and materials from ranches and farms.
She then combined them into a wall-hanging. When I glance at that collage, I remember the church, the town, and the people. But I also remember and feel again the fact that she is mindful of me… and cares for me.
Finding that someone cares for me is like finding a treasure.
The Psalmist sees the artistry and order of the night sky as proof that God cares for him. He arrives at that conclusion by noting that the lights in the sky are amazing. And that we humans, whom God is mindful of, and whom God cares for are not nearly so amazing. Yet God made the wondrous and extravagant so that we can occasionally look at it and grin.
He created the fantastic because He cares so much for little, tiny me.
The awesome skylights remind us of God’s affection, care, and attention.
If the sky were dull grey ALL the time… and if the lights were un-twinkling, few in number, and uninteresting, would not that imply that God was not interested in us? Instead, the varied lights, the artful patterns, the predictable yet wild movement, and the music of the spheres shout, “GOD CARES.”
When we wonder if tomorrow will be lonely, look at God’s gifts in the sky. When we expect that our loneliness has no end, look at God’s gifts in the sky. When think that tomorrow we will be unloved, unnoticed, un-understood, and unimportant… notice for a moment what God did for you.
Tomorrow, Someone will care for you.
Take the hope God grants us.