When our soul journeys in the dark, we can look up at the stars and enjoy the art of faithgazing.
If there was ever a reason to live out in the mountains or the desert, it would be for the stars.
It’s only when I’m out where the air cools down to a bite, where the mountains and her trees form a trellis for the sky, can I get lost stargazing.
I become a child again, sitting or lying down in the dark, on a cool rock or the bumpy ground. I like how the night gets quiet. My body relaxed, my ears perk up hearing the wind, the trees, and even my own heartbeat.
Then, the stars appear. They shine down on me in stardust radiance.
Stargazing. It never fails to take my breath away.
I can’t help, but long to faithgaze in the same way.
Faithgazing
No matter how long I’ve been a Christian, I still consider myself a newbie to faithgazing. Like Abraham who was first pointed to the stars, I too, turn to the stars for inspiration.
When I focus on my own abilities and my circumstances, I easily get locked into fears of the bad that could happen.
How long is this journey? Am I on the right path?
Should I follow my heart at this fork in the road.. or stay where I’m at?
All these questions put the focus on me and my decision making.
Poof!
The stars of faith disappear right along with the city lights of fear and self-reliance.
What does a faithgazer like me do?
It’s times like these, we remember the art of faithgazing —
* Faithgazing conditions are at night.
It’s dark. We can’t see.
Perfect. God is the only one who can work in the dark. This is where only He can provide the light. One day at a time. One word at a time.
“If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,’
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.”
Psalm 139:11-12
* In time, our eyes adjust to the dark, so we can focus on faith more clearly.
It’s important to stay calm when we run into a patch of uncertainty and a time of waiting.
Faith becomes clearer when hold onto Jesus, the One who has the plan, rather than grasping in the dark for a plan.
“We walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7
Look At The Stars
Take some time to look at the stars tonight.
Go out for a walk or step out into the backyard.
Better yet, just quietly sit outside in your PJs barefoot before you slip into bed.
Look up a the stars and remember the God who names the stars has never forgotten you.
You are shining bright, twinkling beauty in His eyes. No matter how dark it gets.
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When’s the last time you looked at the stars and enjoyed thinking of God… who is thinking of you?
Pull up a chair. I love company and enjoy hearing your thoughts. Click to share a comment.
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22 Comments
Hi Bonnie,
About 5 years ago, I was on vacation in the south (I live in the philippines). We went on a boat ride one night and in the middle of the water, our boat conked out. While waiting for rescuers to come, and there in the midst of a bunch of city-dwellers chattering noisily, I sat quietly on my seat, taking in the darkness. It was pitch dark — no city lights even on the horizon. The boatman eventually did take out a flashlight but before he did that, the only light came from the stars. And at that moment, it came to me that even in that patch of complete darkness, my Father knows the exact spot where I am. What an overwhelming feeling!! Tears started streaming down my face and I was so glad nobody could see 🙂
“Look up a the stars and remember the God who names the stars has never forgotten you.”
I am in a job rightnow where strongly feel is not where I belong. And I haveyet to determine what I want to pursue. I know that even when my future seems cloudy… He know exactly where I am and more than where I am, He knows where I am headed.
Thanks for your post! I think the stars are waiting for me tonight 🙂
Rachel, thanks for sharing this beautiful memory in today’s thoughts… God sees where the road ahead leads and is with you now. Keep hanging in there.
Friday night while camping with several families whose children also have cancer, I happened to look up.
I was alone, walking slowly and wondering if God really saw us down here. Some of our kids have statistics attached to their charts that just aren’t very hopeful. Ewings sarcoma and glioblastoma are killers. Ravaging, heartless, bone and brain destroying killers.
Where are you, God? Where are you?
He answered when I looked up. The sky was so black. But the stars were everywhere. And I know full well that the placement of those stars was not random. That He hung every one of them. He is artistic…and mighty…..and aware…..
We are never out of His reach. Never alone. Always loved.
Julie, thanks for sharing a moment from your weekend with such precious families walking through such difficult times. So beautiful to imagine you there pouring out your heart to God.
Another great post Bonnie!
Thanks, Lorie!
When I ‘m in the dark I just want to keep moving to find my way out, but in doing that, I trip and fall. I need to get still in the darkness and notice His handiwork. Love your faithgazing analogy!
Thanks, Jennifer!
Thanks so much Bonnie! You got me singing Switchfoot “Stars”…Love that song!
Blessings,
marina
http://marinaskitchentable.blogspot.com
I’ll have to listen to that one, Marina!
I love this–faith gazing! Has me thinking–so. much.
Sweet Amy. So nice to visit together. 😉
Apples of gold in silver settings. It never ceases to amaze me how God uses each one of us to strengthen and build the body of Christ in unity. This series has been such a blessing to me and, I know, countless others. I love your writing, Bonnie, because you don’t publish it as a task to be done or to simply gain attention, but your words come from your heart in which the Father has been working. Thank you.
Diane, you.just.blessed.my.heart. This is my heart’s desire and prayer each time I write. And to know that is what you feel… Thank you, Lord, for Diane’s encouragement.
Love star gazing! Faith gazing does need to be like looking at the stars. Great post!
Thanks, katie. Hope you’re having a good Monday. 🙂
In certain parts of Arizona there is too much light pollution. But in a lot of other parts there is the wonderful clear sky for gazing. When I lived in Camp Verde, my granddaughter and I used to lay in the bed of my truck with blankets and pillows to gaze at the stars. Oftentimes, I’d drive up to the mountains to do it and commune with God there. I live in the valley now in Gilbert near Phoenix.
This past weekend I thought I would do it again as we (my son, his girlfriend, my granddaughter and myself) went camping near Heber, just past Payson. However, we were met with snow on the way there and freezing temperatures although the sky was clear at night. I froze to death in the tent because I was not prepared for the extreme cold (weather channel didn’t say it was going to snow!). I sang quietly to God the exact same song you had in a previous post…”Jesus…you are my reward…” while shaking so much from the cold that the muscles in my legs knotted up. However, there were other times while living in Arizona that I was able to get away and see the Milky Way and feel the majesty of God and be overwhelmed by it.
So neat to know you like that song, “My Reward”! I used to travel to AZ on business and later had very special ties to AZ… One day, I’ll share. Happy to know another friend is there now! Thnx for stopping by to share, Christine!
It’s important to stay calm when we run into a patch of uncertainty and a time of waiting.
Faith becomes clearer when hold onto Jesus, the One who has the plan, rather than grasping in the dark for a plan.
SO TRUE! I love living in the country for the purpose of star gazing. The other night they were so beautiful. I had been out on a girls night and stayed out talking until 330am. Instead of rushing inside the house I could not help but be flabergasted by the beauty of them. The sky is not the limit! No matter what they say. I think this is my favorite portion of scripture in all the bible because of that.
‘Faithgazing’-what a great term for it. Just being outdoors in general does this for me. Watching the wind whispering through a pine or making the branches on a willow dance, seeing the colored leaves float to the ground, listening to a bee buzz over a flower patch…so many amazing moments that help recharge your soul when life just makes it weary.
Thank you for the reminder Bonnie, and as I’ve come to expect from your posts-beautifully spoken!
Sitting outside in my PJ’s and looking at the stars. That’s one I’m keeping for my soul refreshment. It’s only 3:20p in Hawaii, but I’ll be doing that tonight for sure…think I’ll add a warm drink to your faithgazing PJ recipe.
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