Purpose

Get away from the lights of the city and find a place that is dark, real dark. Now, look into the heavens and wait for a moment. A shooting star streaks across the sky. The really awesome ones leave a trail of glitter behind them.  As you gaze into the endless expanse you begin to understand that you are focusing your eyes on galaxies, stars, and planets that sent out their light thousands of years ago.


I just described what our family did on many summer nights.  Those nights when we knew it was time for a shooting star extravaganza we watched the show on the comfort of our trampoline. The sleeping bags were gathered and put on the trampoline.  Lying on our backs we would try and count the fiery particles as they raced across our eyes. Slowly, with tired eyes, but still enthusiastic, we would fall asleep.


Standing under the canopy of heaven or lying on a trampoline watching shooting stars, a question naturally comes to the searching soul. What am I in comparison to the vastness of the universe? What significance can I possibly have in a world of planets and stars, of mountains and oceans? What difference is one speck of sand on the shores of this world?


A few thousand years ago the same question was asked, under the same setting. "God, when I look up into the heavens, when I see the stars and the moons which you have ordained. What am I? Why should you care one little bit about me? Yet, you made me just a little lower than the created beings of the heavens. You crowned me with glory and majesty. You appointed me the steward of all you made. Glory to your name."


Men and women, boys and girls, all find their purpose and significance in God. He is the one who created mankind and he knows what it takes to fill the heart and soul with meaning and purpose. Jesus told us that He came into the world to give us life and give it in great abundance.


The blessing of the presence of God in the heart of Christ Followers is the presence of transformation. Christianity is no different than any other religion if it does not transform the human character. It is the power of God in our life that can take control. It is the presence of Christ and the fruit of His Spirit that can, should, change humanity.


In light of being transformed by the love and power of God, consider these words from the book of Ephesians. "To know the love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all of the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to his power that is working within us.."


The next time you stand under the canopy of heaven thank God, not your lucky stars, that you have great meaning and significance to the God of all creation.


Tedd Galloway is a former missionary and is currently the pastor at West Adrian Community Church. His book, A Mother's Heart Moved the Hand of God, has been released through, Morgan James Publishing. You can follow Tedd on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. His website is, www.teddgalloway.com