Will You Stay Where You Are or Reach for a Star?

“Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.”

Daniel 12:3 (NLT)

When I was a youth, I remember hearing Ken Medema sing a song that challenged me like no other. The lyrics were these:

“Will you stay where you are, or will you reach for a star? Play the game, be the fraud, or die to self and live to God. This can be victory’s hour, claim His grace, claim His power. Will you stay where you are, or will you reach for a star?”

Daniel tells us in Daniel 12:3 (NLT), “Those who are wise will shine as bring as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.” How many stars do you know in the world of entertainment that have flamed out? Once brilliant, they’ve lost their luster only to realize the temporary nature of fame. Daniel tells us how we can be eternal stars! He says the real stars of heaven are those who are wise and lead many to God’s righteousness. That righteousness, the Bible says, can only be found in God’s Son, the Lord Jesus. He is the righteousness of God. When we come to Christ, we receive His righteousness that makes us right with God! 

Daniel says that you and I can become true stars, radiantly beautiful in God’s sight! Jesus called His followers the light of the world. Then He said, “… let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (NIV) In what ways can you let your light shine? All around us are people living in darkness. Simple acts of kindness can make a world of difference in demonstrating God’s love and light to others. Turn up the lumens and let God’s light shine through you today. Think of those in your world that need encouragement, hope, a kind word, support, mercy, love, a friend, or even some physical support or provision that God may use you to share. Ask God to open your eyes to see others as He sees them, to burden your heart with what burdens His.

The darker the night, the brighter the stars shine. Shine where you are regardless of the darkness around you. How? John’s Gospel tells us, “In Him (Christ) was life, and that life was the light of men.” John 1:4 (NIV) To turn on the light you must have the life of Christ in you. He is the Light of the world! He’s the power that enables your light and mine to shine. Like a mirror, we reflect the radiance of His glory when we keep our eyes on Him. When His life is in us, His light shines through us in all that we do and say giving us opportunity to lead many to God’s righteousness and shine like the stars forever!

So how about you? Will you stay where you are, or will you reach for a star? Play the game, be the fraud, or die to self and live for God. This can be victory’s hour, claim His grace, claim His power and be a star in someone’s life today that leads them out of darkness into His marvelous light!

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To read this devotional online or catch up on past ones, visit kerryshook.org/blog.

As you continue your quiet time, prayer is a powerful way to stay connected to God and the family of Christ. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board offers a simple space to lift others in prayer and let them know you are standing with them. You can also share your own request and receive prayer support whenever you need it.

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