Norman Vincent Peale, an American author once remarked: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.” Genesis 1:14-18 reminds us: “And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. And God made the two great lights - the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night - and the stars. And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.”
The idiom: "The Way To The Stars" is often used metaphorically, especially in contexts like the RAF motto "Per ardua ad astra" (Through adversity to the stars). Many idioms rely on figurative language, meaning that they use words in a non-literal way to create a more vivid or nuanced meaning. The term essentially symbolizes striving for great achievements, overcoming challenges, or pursuing ambitious goals. The stars themselves can also be metaphorical, representing hope, guidance, or the vastness of possibilities. It can be interpreted in multiple ways, ranging from literal navigation using celestial bodies to metaphorical journeys of self-discovery and conquest. It can represent a physical journey guided by stars, a search for knowledge and understanding, or even a path to achieving greatness.
The way to the stars creates endless possibilities through its focus and objective. Ambition and perseverance emphasize the prospect of setting high goals and aspirations to achieve eminence, they are two important factors in the confined realms of success, suggesting that even if one's ultimate goal is not achieved, striving for it can still lead to significant accomplishments.
In Genesis 15, God promises Abram (later Abraham) that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky. This story is often interpreted as a testament to God's faithfulness and the vastness of His promises to Abraham. God brings Abram outside and directs him to look up at the heavens, challenging him to count the stars, if he is able. He then declares that Abram's offspring will be equally countless. Verses 1-6 remind us: “After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son[b] shall be your heir.” And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.”
Just like human life, individual stars are varied. They differ significantly in brightness, size, color, temperature, and even their life cycle and behavior. Stars, particularly in the context of the possible fruitfulness of life, are seen as evidence of God's creation and a reflection of His wisdom, sovereignty and guidance. God's guidance, in a religious context, refers to divine direction and wisdom imparted to individuals who seek it. It's a belief that God offers guidance through various means, including the Holy Spirit, the Bible, prayer, and even through differing circumstances and other people. Ultimately, it's about aligning one's life with God's will and purpose. In many faiths, God's guidance isn't a literal, physical path to the stars, but rather a spiritual or metaphorical one. The stars themselves are often seen as symbols of God's power, grandness, and faithfulness, and looking to them can inspire reflection and a sense of awe that leads one closer to the divine.
Additionally, some interpretations suggest that God uses the stars to guide humanity, both physically and spiritually, through periods of darkness and uncertainty. Guidance is essential for navigating life's complexities, offering support in personal, educational, and career development, and promoting well-being. It helps individuals make informed decisions, develop essential skills, and build a strong foundation for future success. John Wooden, an American basketball coach once remarked: “Be true to yourself, help others, make each day your masterpiece, make friendship a fine art, drink deeply from good books - especially the Bible, build a shelter against a rainy day, give thanks for your blessings and pray for guidance every day.”
God can provide everything at will. Matthew 7:7-11 reminds us: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” While the universe may be infinite in size, the number of stars within it is said to be finite. The concept of an infinite number of stars is refuted by Olbers' paradox, which suggests that if the universe were infinite and static, the night sky would be overwhelmingly bright with starlight. However, stars are widely considered beautiful due to their radiant light, vastness, and the awe-inspiring patterns they create in the night sky.
Their appearance, especially in dark skies, can evoke feelings of wonder, peace, and connection to something larger than oneself. Whether "God's stars" are believed welcoming depends on individual interpretation. Some view them as symbols of God's glory and guidance, offering comfort and inspiration. Others see them as warnings against idolatry, emphasizing that while alluring, they are created beings and not objects of worship. Daniel 12:3 speaks of a future where the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever. This verse, set within the context of Daniel's apocalyptic vision of the end times, promises a reward for the righteous. It suggests that those who understand and follow God's will, and who also guide others towards righteousness, will experience a glorious and eternal radiance. It reminds us: “And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”
While stars are said to not actively guide one in the literal sense, they have historically been, and can still be, used for navigation and progress. Historically, sailors and travelers relied on stars and constellations to find their way across oceans and land before the invention of modern technology. Today, while the use of GPS is prevalent, understanding star navigation is still a valuable skill, especially for backup purposes. The Star of Bethlehem, according to Christian tradition and the Gospel of Matthew, is understood as a miraculous sign that heralded the birth of Jesus. It appeared in the sky, guiding the Three Wise Men (or Magi) from the East to Jerusalem and then to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. They interpreted the star as a sign of the birth of the "King of the Jews" and followed it to pay homage to the newborn. As such, the star can be interpreted as a guiding route to the wonders of God. Matthew 2:9-11 reminds us: “After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.”
Amen.
