We all have stars in our lives. Not just the cosmic entities we see in the night sky, but metaphoric stars that we see from far off that capture our interest and fill us with a sense of awe. They might be our childhood dreams, or newly discovered passions. They may be found in the example of a friend or colleague who inspires us to be better. They are the pieces of our lives that compel us to look up and question our role in the universe. They are those which inspire us to keep moving, despite our uncertainty.
Stars illuminate the world with a new kind of light. Stars help us see beyond our current capacity to a vision of the future. Whether in word or by example, they offer insight into who we really are, and what potential we hold. Stars care, but likely don’t realize what they mean to us.
I was reflecting last night on the stars in my own life, and the ability they have to change me and lead me to better paths than I might otherwise choose. This morning, I reread the account of Lehi’s dream in 1 Nephi 8. I have grown to truly love this chapter, but today I read it in another way. Lehi first sees a man in a white robe, and is invited to follow him. Along the way, Lehi notices his surroundings (a dark and dreary waste) and loses sight of his guide. Through prayer, his perspective is changed and he catches sight of the Tree of Life and its most beautiful, most precious fruit. He is able to partake, and is soon inviting others to come forward and join him.
I thought about the significance of the stars in Lehi’s life, or in his dream. The man in the robe, the tree, and the fruit. They impelled Lehi to keep moving forward, even when his surroundings were dark and inhospitable.
Christ admonished Peter, “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:32). That is what we can do for others, and what we must let others do for us. Each of us is on our own path and faces our own trials. However, we must all work together if any of us are to truly succeed.
I guess my only invitation today is to think about the stars in your life. What are the things and who are the people who bring out the best in you? What can you do to show or express your gratitude for the blessing that they are in your life?