MY "CONSTELLATION"

1 John 1:5-10
5 This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin. 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word has no place in our lives.

I was riding along in my truck listening to Dr. Laura offer advice and moral guidance to her radio callers. She had given good insight to a young woman, then told her to go back and apply it to her "constellation." She was referring to the people who make up this woman's world, her "galaxy." Family, friends, co workers, roommates, and even distant relatives make up our "constellation"--our universe of influence.

John Donne (1572-1631), celebrated English clergyman and author, knew full well that we are interconnected with many people. What touches one, he said, touches all. Our words and deeds affect those around us--sometimes profoundly. Likewise, the events of other lives influence us.

In Meditation 17, Donne wrote, "No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent; a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less." He went on to make it personal: "Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."

In Donne's day, a church bell tolled to announce the death of a member of the parish. Its ringing forced people to think of their own death. It's still true. Death touches us, as did the perishing of the seven astronauts aboard the Columbia, because we are all connected by our shared humanity.

Here's the point: Our words, our deeds, and our gestures impact those who are part of our world. The bad choices we make extend to the far reaches of our "constellation." So do our wise decisions, our acts of kindness, and our expressions of respect, concern, and love.

Jesus, the Light of the world, told us, "Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). Let's impact the constellation of our influence for man's good and God's glory. --Dave Egner

DESTINATION POINTS

* What recent account of kindness or good news cheered me? Inspired me?
* Does a death usually make me think of my own mortality? How does it help me to think about it as a believer in Jesus?
* Is the overall impact of my life positive or negative? How can I find out?

LINKS:
Is There Life After Death?
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q1205

bottom line: Our constellation needs Jesus' revelation.

soul journey