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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Eternity (03/10/11)
A smiling sun said goodnight and sank beneath the comfort of the rolling waves. The seagulls, sandpipers and other birds had gone home for the night. The gentle tide sang a soft lullaby as it reached out and caressed the sleepy sands. The last rays of the sunlight disappeared and the night tiptoed across the skies. As the darkness kissed the sleeping stars they woke up and filled the sky with a myriad of sparkling diamonds.

I sat on the beach, resting my back against a sand- dune and gazing up at the stars. It was the day after the new-moon and the stars ruled supreme on the dark blue velvet sky. There is something ethereal about the starlight that thrills my soul. It is neither brilliant like the sunlight nor lovely like the moonlight. It is serene and sacred, venerable and divine, solemn and tranquil. It has the power to transform me outside the limits of time into the presence of the timeless and eternal creator of the universe.
I wondered if Abraham experienced the same thrill when he looked up at the stars and remembered God’s promise that his seed will be as countless as those stars. (Gen.15:5).

Or if Job experienced the same thrill when he woke up while dawn was still dark to hear the morning stars sing together and all the sons of God shout for joy.(Job.38:7)

Or if the Wise men of the East experienced the same thrill when they gazed up at the bright star and realized that the Son of God , the King of the Jews, who would redeem man from sin and death and lift him into eternal life, was born in Judah. (Matt. 2:2)

God gave Adam the freedom to name all His creations, except for the stars. He counted them and called each one by name. (Ps.147:4) They were special to Him. The sun sets, the moon sets but the stars remain in the sky forever, the children of eternity.

There are moments of eternity that we may glimpse in this life. Words cannot explain that feeling. At that time nothing earthly seems to matter. Everything disappears and only the ecstasy of the presence of God remains. It is the overwhelming intensity of emotion that:
- Moses felt when he heard God speak out of the burning bush…
- Job felt when God reasoned with him face to face...
- A bleeding Stephen felt when he looked up and saw his beloved Jesus welcoming him with open arms…
- A lonely John felt in Patmos…
- made Paul and Silas sing songs in the night…
That night as I lay on the beach, I felt time standstill. I felt lifted up out of the scope of time into the presence of “the high and lofty one whose habitation is in eternity, whose name is Holy.”(Isaiah.57:15)
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This article has been read 576 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Leola Ogle
03/17/11
Much to ponder and think on. Thanks for sharing. God bless!
Brenda Rice
03/18/11
Beautiful, descriptive and emotional writing. I felt, too.
Thanks for sharing.
diana kay
03/19/11
precious story. i particularly liked the first two paragraphs
Rachel Dorsey
03/19/11

I liked the first paragraph.

It had a lyrical quality that drew me in the story and kept me reading.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
03/20/11
I know that for whatever reason I may be doubting my faith all I need to do is look up at the stars and I wonder how anyone cannot believe in the Almighty. I even have glow in the dark stars on my bedroom ceiling to remind me of his greatness. Your piece also reminded me and I appreciate the scripture references.
Mildred Sheldon
03/20/11
I truly loved your reminising while sitting on the beach and gazing at all the stars. This truly touched my heart and made me feel closer to God. Thank you for a very touching story.
Bonnie Bowden 
03/20/11
I liked the line, The night tiptoed across the stars. I had forgotten that God named all the stars. Very inspirational writing.
Charla Diehl
03/22/11
Your opening paragraph painted peaceful pictures in my mind--so beautifully written. God's creation always draws me close to Him, and the stars definitely have a special quality about them. You underscored this theme with your creative words. Very enjoyable entry.