Dinner was served. The kitchen was cleaned. Lullabies had been sung and monsters were now triumphantly vanquished from the closet. At long last, my three children were safely tucked in their beds. The day was done. Yet, despite my weary state, I still had to take my evening run. I was tired and it was later than usual. Still, I resolved to keep my wellness commitment and dutifully laced up my running shoes.

As I stepped out into the cool night air, I looked out and let out a massive sigh. A long day, filled with back to school appointments and demands, had left me emotionally and physically weary. Desperate to recharge, I turned on my I-Pod and set out to leave my responsibilities behind.

At first my steps were laborious and seemed to mercilessly beat the pavement. Meanwhile, my mind began to sift events from the day into categories of victory and defeat. “Lord, did I please you today?” my tired heart beckoned.

While the road outstretched before me, my pace quickened as my favorite praise songs renewed my tired spirit. There was no phone to answer. No clothes to fold. No house to clean. For now, it was just me, the stars, and our creator. All at once, I came to a sudden stop and turned my eyes to the heavens.

Hazy and filled with numerous clouds, the night sky veiled most of the stars. Still, one unusually bright star pierced the darkness and bedazzled me with its pristine beauty. With outstretched arms, I offered praise to my God and pictured my responsibilities being trampled under my feet.

After all, the same hands that formed and named the stars, imagined and created me. Like that solitary star beaming brightly in the night, I have been called out of darkness. For I am now a child of light. (Ephesians 5:8 NIV).

Therefore, I must be mindful to “do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.” (Philippians 2:14-15 NIV) In a world gripped by darkness, “the LORD is God, and he has made his light shine upon us.” (Psalm 118:27 NIV)

You are a child of God. Pure. Accepted. Blameless in His sight. So go on. Step out. Be bold and “praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars.” (Psalm 148:3 NIV) For it is in our praise that we shine most brightly for the One whose great love pierced the darkness. Look Up! For the glory of the LORD awaits.

By Heather Arbuckle

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