Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Stellar

The black desert sky became a canvas for brush strokes of glittering stars on a moonless night. Awe and wonder filled me and I became overwhelmed by the vast space of a universe in which I played a small role. The warmth of the campfire drew my gaze down as I watched my world visit, laugh, and play into the night.

Sleep soon beckoned us. And one by one we each took our place in the tiny, whimsical cabin. Darkness soaked into every crevice of our dwelling. Complete silence was interrupted only by the sound of the house fan pulling in the cool desert air. Rest was my hope—but not my reality.
 
“You are NOT stellar.”

What started as a whisper grew to a shout. The phrase became a perpetual cadence in my head. It traveled in circles through the places of my mind and dared to take root in my heart. I wasn’t sure I even knew what stellar meant—deep down I knew it was good. But someone believed I wasn’t.

That someone—was me.

This insanity kept my mind racing, my eyes open, and my heart fighting with the true Voice. Why did God insist on interrupting? Was He not aware of the areas I lacked? Did He not remember where I was deficient? Why would He challenge what I knew to be true?

“Lord, stop telling me I am stellar—when I know I am not.”

Just as the light of dawn peeked through the windows, fatigue from the battle hit, and I surrendered to my body’s plea for slumber. I could rest in one thing—I was not stellar. Apparently, I had won this battle with God.

Couple hours later I woke exhausted. Memories of the night lingered in a strange haze. What was stellar? Breakfast was put off for an important quest—a dictionary.

Stellar  \ste-lar\  (adj)
Like a star, as in brilliance and shape. Outstanding.

My eyes glazed over the star definition to the one that made sense. Outstanding? No. I still didn’t believe I was outstanding. Even more, I couldn’t believe I lost a whole night’s sleep over it.

“Lord, I don’t understand.”

God pushed the memory of the starry sky before me and led me to a scripture…

He calls each star by name. Psalm 147:4

“Lord, I seriously don’t get it.”

You are stellar—like a star in brilliance and shape.
I have called you by name to shine and sparkle in this world.
Everything I made is outstanding—including you.
It’s not because of anything you do or will do—it’s My identity within you.
You are stellar.
Believe Me above all others—You, Beloved, are My brilliant star.

I get it now.

Do you?

What are the lies you believe?

 Here or somewhere…be real.

Share your journey.

Relevant Worship

Indescribable by Chris Tomlin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-zJHgaoVa4&feature=related

Who Am I? by Casting Crowns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU_rTX23V7Q


Reflective Scripture

That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guiltless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation among whom you are seen as bright lights, stars, or beacons shining out clearly in the dark world. Philippians 2:15 Amplified

He counts the stars and calls them all by name. Psalm 147:4 NLT

9 comments:

  1. The heavens ( stars and planets) declare his glory. Thank you for that word - "stellar"

    Mike

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  2. Loving that word "stellar"!! Thank you.

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  3. You and I are always in such sync. "Who am I" has been running through my mind for a week and a half. I love when God encourages my worth. Thank you for the reminder and for your honesty.

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  4. "Brilliant" because when I think of Stellar...I think of the light that it gives off as well.

    Thank you for this.

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  5. I loved the entire post, but one sentence in particular rocked my world, "Believe ME above all others!" Last Sunday we sang in worship, "My Confidence is in Him alone!" He has ever so lovingly and ever so firmly challenged me to understand the importance and meaning of "in Him alone," believing Him above all others. In our humanity, we often foolishly look to man for answers, for understanding, for meaning, when every answer, when who we are, when our very identity exists in Him and Him alone! We cannot get caught up in how we see ourselves or how others see us. We can rest confidently in who He declares us to be! Blessed by your obedience again Laura!

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  6. This word has significant meaning for me. When I first entered graduate school, I did not believe that I could do it. It had been way too long since I was in school and I did not think I was smart enough. The first class I took was a test to see if I could handle it. My final was a 14 page term paper and I thought for sure it would have all kinds of mistakes. The professor was tough and I was even tougher on myself. I got the paper back in the mail after the class ended. Written across the top of the last page was "This is a STELLAR paper!" A I too had to get the dictionary to make sure I understood the word correctly. With every class after that I would remind myself that I am capable of being "stellar" with God's help. I am still tough on myself, but if I let go and allow Holy Spirit to help, it's much easier to be "stellar". Thanks for writing! You are "stellar" Laura!

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  7. Only through the Fathers eyes can I find my worth!

    I AM STELLAR!!!

    Thanks for sharing Laura!

    DG

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  8. Your words and insight are such an encouragement and inspiration to me. My love only increases when I again realize how deeply the Lord loves me and how through His presence in me, I am Stellar. An added bonus is that I paint night sky murals in homes. I love the night sky because its beauty and awesome expanse truly declare the Glory of the Lord. Your words have added even more meaning that I can take with me for inspiration as I paint the starry heavens on ceilings around So. Calif. Thanks Laura!

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  9. We are Stellar because we are made in God's image!!!

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