Written in the Stars

February 4^th, 2024 (Week 55 - originally written in December 2022)

Gen 1: 1-16 “……..He also made the stars”

I have a confession to make. Before I became a Christian more than twenty-eight years ago, I had what I would now call an unhealthy interest in horoscopes. I even went as far as having a very personal one written for me by a “local expert”. I’m pretty sure I’ve disposed of it now, but I can recall trying very hard to use it as a guide for my life! Millions of others are still being fooled into doing the same thing every day of their lives as horoscopes are held up by the media and others as providing the answers to all life’s problems.

Similarly, the technique (if that’s the right phrase) of graphology has become widely used, particularly in commerce and industry where it’s believed that insight can be gained into a person’s character and whether they are likely to be good employees, simply by looking at their handwriting. This is interesting because since becoming a Christian I have changed (believe me, please). Maybe not in all the ways I need to change but most certainly in the fundamentals, e.g. God is in charge now, not me!

You see, I have amongst other things, realised the extent of my sinful nature; my capacity to “do a Jonah” and run away from what God is telling me to do; the thoughts that I allow to enter into my mind and linger for just a moment longer than they should; and my reluctance to love people I find difficult. If I look at all the really bad things I used to do (and no, I will not mention them all here, ever) I know just how much I’ve changed. Thank you, Lord.

And there’s the problem with stars and graphology, I have changed, but my handwriting hasn’t. My personal signature is just as illegible as it’s always been, but it’s still used on cheques, my passport and driving licence. It’s still used to identify me. Presumably, that would mean that my character is still the same. But it’s not, because somewhere, deep down inside of me I know that Jesus lives in me, and I want more than anything to live my life according to His will and expectations.

If the stars tell us anything it should be that God created them, us, and everything. The Constellations are all there in the same place they’ve always been. That reminds us that God is still in control and doesn’t change. His character and His love for each one of us is and will remain the same, forever – whatever the state of our handwriting. Anything that tries to convince us otherwise is clearly not of God but of the one who seeks to drag us away from him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to recognise that some things which are bad for us are often wrapped up in appealing parcels. Please give us wisdom to know instinctively when something is not what it seems.

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