We ride, packed together like a can of sardines; our only comfort is that we are all in this together. We joust for territory; an inch here, a place for your elbow there. The only area you can really claim is the space your body occupies at any given moment and nothing more. The night air chills us as it rushes past our skin in a dancing frenzy. My hair is hopelessly tangled and my rear is perpetually numb from the previous 6 hours and anticipation of the many more to come.
The stars are incredible and they make riding in the back of a flatbed truck with 24 other people (plus gear) a luxury that few afford. Flecks of light illuminating their own small darkness in the sky, claiming their territory with dignified, yet humble glory.
If only I could be more like a star…
The longer you look the more stars you see, each one slightly different and randomly placed in the sky as if tossed out by the hand of the Creator. With so much light in the sky, I wonder how there is room for darkness, but the sky seems blacker than ever. It is the contrast that makes stars so spectacular. It is their light against the surrounding darkness that makes us stand in awe.
I realize that I am a star. In this world Jesus Christ in me is a magnificent light against the surrounding darkness. He designed it that way so that others would see His glory in us and be drawn closer to it – closer to Him.
Just taking a look at the night sky from the wilderness of Alaska, the hills of Kentucky, the mountains of Georgia, the deserts of Arizona or the plains of Africa and you know that city skies just cannot compare. In cities stars do not seem so spectacular because their light is washed out by the light pollution of the world. The same thing happens to many Christians. We allow the pollution of the world to overpower and wash out the light Christ has placed in us. People may see Christ, but they see a faded version with a lot of the world in there too. Our aim as Christians is to become the pure light that God placed in us through Christ with less and less pollution from the world; to radiate His glory with dignity and humility.
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Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3
