“Think about the things above and not things on earth.”
Colossians 3:2 CEB
I watched the moon as it slowly sank into the deep cold lake. For an hour or two, before the sun rose, the sky was alive with thousands of stars. In time, I found myself slowing down: my breath, my heart rate, my thoughts. There were moments I could almost feel the earth turning on its axis.
I was a teenager then. I had volunteered to take a shift as night watchman at a Christian camp overseas, far away from city lights and sounds. It wasn’t always easy being away from home, but when I looked up at the night sky I felt at peace—I felt close to God.
Most people look around at all the troubles in the world and either panic or pretend. They either hyper-focus on the problems or bury their heads in the sand and act like no problems exist. But Scripture offers us a third way—not to despair in response to the world, not to run and hide, but to keep our eyes on Jesus and the things of heaven. To draw nearer to God above, no matter what we face here below.
O Lord, grant us the peace that surpasses all understanding as we place our trust and our hope in you—even amid turbulent times. Amen.
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Your story reminds me of the one time I ever attended a camp as a camper (as opposed to staff). I really hated almost everything about it except for the one night we slept under the stars instead of in our cabin. I was frightened and distressed and then I looked at the stars--more than I had ever seen at once at the time--and started thinking about God. I calmed all the way down and slept great and camp went much better after that.