“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.” Philippians 2:14-16a

In the verse above, Paul is talking to the church at Philippi and instructing them on how to get along as a church family. When we become Christians (Christ followers filled with the Holy Spirit), we become a member of a new family, God’s family. As children of the Most High God, albeit adopted children, we now have a global, diverse, beloved, and extended family!

God calls us by opening our hearts. Jesus saves us with His sacrifice on the cross. And the Holy Spirit indwells us. Children of God. God calls us wherever we are in our lives; sinful, broken, desperate, grieving, lonely, empty, complacent, worldly, heart-broken, searching. No matter where we start, we are now a part of God’s enormous family.

I agree with the no grumbling or arguing within God’s family, it is, after all, human nature. And I think every Christian might describe their generation as “warped and crooked.” We look lovingly on a fallen world and want for everyone to be called by our name, child of God.

But it is the last part of the quoted verses that touched me the most. “Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.” I love to look into the midnight dark sky and see the stars where God placed them on the fourth day of creation. I try to imagine my life as God’s beautiful shining star.

Children of God – Shining Stars

Father, do we cling to your wise and powerful Word?

Do we place in our hearts; all those promises we’ve heard?

Father, are we still and quiet, listening for Your will?

Do we draw close to You, as if climbing the highest hill?

Father, do we shine Your light and love for the world to see?

Do our lives reflect the light of Your love, truth and peace?

Father, thank You, for giving us Your holy light to share.

We shine Your light in our lives, our service, and our prayers.

This week let’s all strive to shine God’s light and love into at least one small part of our world.

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me this week as we see ourselves as the shining stars of God’s wonderful family.