[The Word of the Lord] brought [Abram] outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” (Gen. 15:5)
Life always changes. It moves forward through time, space, and context. And, springtime seems to overflow with such change. Now that it is June, I have several family members leaving high school and preparing for college while others are entering their long-awaited new career. They, in effect, are leaving home and family following a call from God to become what they were created to be.
With change, we must let go of so many things – the past, perhaps relationships, or even roles previously important to us. Change might thus make us question our identity, future, or purpose. Yes, as we let go and move on, we will change. Yet, as we do so, isn’t it wonderful that God’s love for us never changes! We are asked to let go of our need for control and worries and seek to remember God’s son, the Morning Star, whose light was extinguished for our sake but through his resurrection shines still. We are asked to trust that God always love us.
As I discern the future or review the difficulties of my day, I often think back to the story of Abraham. Trusting God, he sought to follow God wherever he was asked to go. This confidence was based solely on God’s promise to love and uphold him and his descendants no matter what. Overtime, it was not easy, but his trust only grew. God proved faithful.
Our own faith can be strengthened as we walk, too. Yes, we share in Abraham’s legacy, and as we look up to the heavens (as Rich Mullins used to sing) we see, “How one star he saw had been lit for me,” and another for you, and others for all those who trust like Abraham. As a National Guard soldier on maneuvers, or a police officer on midnight shift, or when later serving as a missioner in South Dakota, I’d often look up and find comfort if not inspiration. Even now as I walk Boomer at night, I stargaze, and my heart rejoices.
Yet, that joy isn’t just because of the beauty that I see. Hope is restored and resolve strengthened because I remember God has claimed me amidst any darkness, challenge, or uncertainty. Those stars are signs of God’s sacred promise which will never fail. However dark things become, we can shine on through the power of grace and faith at work in our lives.
I also recognize that “my star” is not up in the sky alone. Countless other “stars” shine, struggle, serve, hope, and pray alongside me as part of the universal (catholic) Church whether I see them or not. We are created and called to be a part of a constellation of Christ’s care – always connected through the Spirit; both giving and receiving grace and love over time.
God knows where we are going, and in seeking to follow, we can trust in God’s plan. We just need to walk one step of faith at a time. For our dark night is surely coming to an end, and we shall shine on forever thanks be to our God who created and called us; who – if we look – can be seen filling our nights with his love.
Originally published in the June 2022 newsletter of Christ Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, Virginia.
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations for this post are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) translation.
© 2022 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.
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