As the weather improves and sunny days are followed by clear skies at night, we have the opportunity to see the glory of the sunshine taking turns with the glory of the stars. There is a great deal of light pollution that obscures their beauty for us, but if you go out to a dark field, away from the lights of civilisation, you can see the wonder of “God’s 5-word creation of the universe” that shouts to all civilisations that He is glorious. Remember those simple words in Genesis chapter 1, almost as an after-thought:
“…He also made the stars.” (Gen 1:16)
Yet as we heard on Sunday morning from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, as Christians we too have the opportunity to shine for God’s glory in a broken world, or as Paul calls it “a warped and crooked generation…”:
“you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.” (Phil 2:15,16)
The way we do that is to respond to the love and grace of God in our lives and respond to His sovereign leading and guiding, by…
…working out “our salvation with fear and trembling…” (Phil 2:12)
and doing everything “without grumbling or arguing,” (Phil 2:14)
Paul describes himself as being “poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service..” coming from faith, yet he rejoiced that the Lord Jesus was being honoured and glorified as a result.
The key question to ask is what are we trying to achieve in life?
Do we want Peace? or Prosperity? or Fame? Or Legacy? Or is it our goal, with Paul, to seek the glory of the Lord Jesus both in, through and as a result of our lives…?
Spencer Shaw