Five Shooting Stars

The night was dark and the moonlight was dancing across waters of the Chesapeake Bay.  A strong breeze made the water dance with that much more brilliance, and was that much more breathtaking.  A sense of awe and wonder.  

A Feeling.

Of being so small.  Looking up, one bright shooting star streaks across the star, then another shortly follows ever so dim but existent none the less.  Then a stillness in the skies as the waters of the Chesapeake lap along the rocky shore.  Then, a yearning.  

A Desire.

To really know that in that moment God was present.  Not just a head knowledge but a desire for the spirit to wail in response to the presence of God. 

A Remembrance. 

Of a long forgotten but sometimes recalled King.  God's desire to know and to be known by His children.

A Sign.

An unclaimed sign in the Old Testament was now being called upon.  "God, I want to know that you hear me.  I want to know that you see me.  Show me three more shooting stars."

1 Star shoots across the sky.

Time.

"I need to know you hear me, that I am where you want me to be.  That I have responded to Your calling in a way that pleases you.  Show me a second shooting star."

.......Time......

"This may be brazen of me, but I will not leave this spot until you show me two more shooting stars.  I asked for three, you have shown me one.  Show me a second shooting star."

............................TIME...................................

A second shooting star shoots across the sky.

Tears.

Tears of joy flowing out of my very soul.  To know that GOD hears me.  That His presence is right here, right now.  An excitement, a thrill, greater than any adrenaline rush, grander than any adventure.  And then..."Father, show me one more shooting star."  Feeling ungrateful, feeling unworthy, fearing my own boldness at approaching a God who is so very alive and so very active.  And still something within me pushes me to ask again.  "Father, I asked you for three shooting stars.  You have shown me two.  Show me your beauty, grace, majesty, brilliance in a third shooting star."

Nothing.

Loneliness.  A long time passed.  And confession poured forth out of my mouth and into the breeze as it dried my tears.  Conversation with my creator, as my best friend.  Honesty with no secrets, no pretenses, nothing held back.  An outpouring of pent up emotion, hurt, pain.  And a statement, "No matter where I go, or what I go through.  I know you will always be with me."

A third shooting stars blazes across the night sky.

Five Shooting stars in total.

AWE.

A loss of breath, a recognition of God for WHO HE IS.  My soul bursts.   "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips." (Isa 6:5)  Fear of the Lord and joy and His having heard my voice come together and crowd my soul until an outpouring of laughter, and sobbing carry on the winds of the bay. 

Beauty. 

Majesty. 

Glory. 

Power.  

Proclaimed throughout His creation.  

And His listening ear turned to me, the one who required a most costly sacrifice on a cross 2000 years ago.

Thank you Father for "revealing Yourself by nature and miracles.  You are beautiful.  You are beautiful.  You are the Lord, the Famous One.  Famous One.  Great is Your name in all the Earth.  The Heavens declare You're glorious, glorious, great is your Fame beyond the Earth." 

(Chris Tomlin)

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