I was listening to a Lighthouse Media CD today and the speaker made an awesome observation about a verse in Genesis. It was the one were Abraham goes to God and is like "what good are all these gifts your promising me if I don't have a son?" God takes Abraham outside and tells him "Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so shall your descendants be." The chapter continues, "Abram put his faith in the LORD, who credited it to him as an act of righteousness." We've all heard it before (Genesis 15:1-6 if you want a refresher), but when we read the verse we make presuppositions, like that Abraham can count, or that when he looked up he saw a bajillion stars. However, when you take it in context you see that six verses later the sun is setting. When God brought Abraham outside and told him to count the stars if he could it was broad daylight! No stars were visible but Abraham put his faith in God that they were nonetheless still there and it was credited to him as an act of righteousness. Talk about a deeper meaning, one that seemed especially applicable to my life right now. As the summer is quickly passing away the reality is sinking in that my college days are numbered and that soon I will be out in the real world (whatever that is). I don't have a clue what the plans are that God has for me; but I know there is a plan. Like Abraham, my future lies somewhere behind the glare of that noonday sun. I can't see it now but that does not make it any less real. I am confident of this first, because just like the stars, which I know will be back again tonight because they have been there every night before, God will unfold His plan for me in time just like I've seen Him do countless times before even though I do not understand it now. Secondly, I know this because He told me so:
"For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare, not for woe! Plans to give you a future full of hope." Jeremiah 29:11
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
"Thus says the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I, the LORD, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go." Isaiah 48:17
"I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk, give you counsel and watch over you." Psalm 32:8
"Then the LORD will guide you always and give you plenty even on the parched land." Isaiah 58:11
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you." Jeremiah 1:5
Wherever you are at right now in life maybe it would be helpful to remember the lesson of Abraham and go out in the noon day sun and try to "count the stars if you are able." God bless dear brothers and sisters! See you in the Eucharist!
