“It is possible that God says every morning, “Do it again” to the sun; and every evening, “Do it again” to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we.” GK Chesterton “Orthodoxy”
A month or so ago my wife was turned on to an app for amateur star gazers. I have to admit that it is quite fascinating. However, the difference between my personality and hers could easily be demonstrated by each our very different responses to using this app. While I can appreciate all that this app unlocks for those curious about the layout of the heavens … she is over the top, I’d actually term it giddy, at what this app reveals when opened and pointed to the sky. She literally squeals and bounces like a preschooler on Christmas morning. Much like her view on life in general, she wants everyone to experience this with her. I will open the app and gaze thoughtfully on it and methodically search the darkening skies, taking note of the various and curious star names and trying to imagine who really thought that Orion actually had a belt fashioned out of otherwise indistinguishable points of light.
She unashamedly puts her screen in front of anyone within sight and won’t be satisfied until they see what she sees. She believes that life is a party and everyone needs to be there … those on the inside and those on the outside … there are no margins for her. On the other hand, I agree that life is a party, but I am of the opinion that you can come if you want to.
I’ll admit that this is not the greatest attribute to have if one is supposed to be considered an “evangelist”. However, I never claimed that label so I don’t feel responsible to it. To be clear, when it comes to faith and eternity, I do believe in the party with all my being and I would like as many of my friends and loved ones to be at that table of celebration with me … it’s just that I don’t believe in coercing, arguing, dragging, or guilting someone into being there. I don’t want them there because of what I told them. We want them there because of what we showed them. I could be a great orator, I’d rather be a great neighbor. We would rather have people see our hope and faith through the way we love unconditionally, spread kindness and live with hope…. and prayerfully those we love will see faith differently than its being modeled in certain places. For people to fully experience this is a slow and steady journey … just about 3 miles an hour to be exact. Walking, looking up, talking with neighbors, and in, the evening, pondering the stars and the one who placed them in the sky. And yes, If anyone else is within earshot, possibly shoving your phone in their face and have them help you find Orion.