He Counts The Stars

Stargazing

Enroute home from Orlando one day, I heard Joni Erikson Tada speak of “my friend, Hugh Ross”. Joni, who is a paraplegic and has found hope in Christ Jesus, shared Hugh has Ausberger’s, a form of autism.

He is a brilliant astrophysicist and founder of Reasons to Believe (RTB). A few years ago, my daughter gave me a gift of an astronomy course with RTB. I had the privilege of sitting under teaching of Hugh, whose course had a huge impact on my life.

It is easy to focus on a disability or limitation and allow that to become your identity.

It is also easy to focus on failure or the failure of a person who rubs you the wrong way or has wounded you in the past.

A Love For The Heavens

When Hugh was young, he developed a love for the heavens. As he turned his eyes upward, over time he learned the name of about 2,000 stars. Today, he can point those stars out, each by name.

Hugh chose to lift his eyes to the heavens and stars became his focus. Years later he gave his life to Christ. Today, as a scientist, whose focus is Christ and the heavens - he has a powerful ministry as he speaks into lives of those who are interested in science or the stars.

What Defines You?

Both Joni and Hugh chose not to let their disabilities define them. They each delight in the wonder of God’s personal love for them. Each has embraced life with its complexities and its joys.

You are not defined by your failures, your wounds, your disabilities, or dis-ease in your life. You are not defined by your feelings! The Lord loves you. Because He esteemed you to have great value, Christ died to give you a beautiful identity based in truth and life.

Choose wisely, my friend! Turn from anything that reduces you or limits your freedom. Focus on life. Why? Because your focus will either hold you captive and produce a root of bitterness, or it will take you to the stars!