It was a late summer night outside Sturgis, SD. I was staying at a farm house, my last host family at the end of a year on the road with a youth ministry team/band. We had played a concert, gone "home" and chatted with our hosts as usual, and settled in for the night. I made a late night long distance call to a special someone. As we looked forward to living in the same state for the first time in a long while and seeing each other more often, it had become a serious conversation. I had much to think and pray about. Everyone else was asleep, so I went outside for some air and quiet time.
I grew up in the city in Indiana, but had come to love time outside with God, appreciating His creation. The wide flat space of South Dakota and our distance from town presented a spectacular night sky and a great setting for a good chat with God. We discussed the year I was finishing and the changes ahead. I was seeking God's direction and as we silly humans do sometimes I began to plea for a "sign". "It would be great to see a shooting star God." "Just one shooting star so I really know you're with me."
No shooting star came, but there was that still, small voice reminding me of so many ways I could see God in my life. I didn't need a sign, I just needed to stop and think. Sometimes we wait for God to show us what we want to see and we miss seeing what He has already shown us. It was good prayer time. I had learned a lesson and I was feeling comforted and relaxed. I turned north to go inside and noticed a glow. I had seen the Northern Lights before, but never in a place like this. With no obstructions and very little light pollution, it was a great show.
I watched as they grew up from the horizon. Soon they shifted from all white to shades of green and blue. And then, they danced. I'd heard the term before, but never seen it, never even really understood what it meant, until that night as I watched waves and columns reach high into the sky. It was so amazing I wanted to wake everyone in the house and share the joy. I looked at the neighbors in the distance hoping they were all out watching. And then it occurred to me - the love of God, grace, salvation, Jesus, the Gospel... It's all so wonderful, so amazing, such incredible good news; but we rarely get so excited that we want to tell everyone. Another lesson learned.
I stood in awe of God and this tremendous display of His power. I stood in awe as I realized that I did not get the sign I asked for, but when I started listening instead of asking I got something far more spectacular. I stood in awe and thanked God for lesson number three.
And as I said goodnight to my Good Father, a shooting star streaked through the northern lights.
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/1pe.1.8-9.NIV
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. Romans 1:20 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/rom.1.20.NIV
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/jas.1.17.NIV
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Matthew 6:7-8 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.6.7-8.NIV
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.28.19-20.NIV
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/rom.12.1-2.NIV
The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord , for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord , but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:11-13 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/1ki.19.11-13.NIV