I vividly recall when I was fifteen years old riding on the back of a pick-up truck in the northern Peruvian Amazon. I had spent the day with my dad around the small town of Cuñumbuque visiting dairy farms. Up until the previous year the town had been controlled by one of Peru’s main terrorist organizations, and now that the army had liberated it, its people were free to do business with outsiders. That was why we were there.
As we drove away on a poorly kept, bumpy dirt road, I looked up at the night sky, and was stunned. I had never seen that before, and never have I seen it again. There were millions of lights spread across the night sky like spilled milk. It was an illuminated highway of sorts right over me cutting through the night. The lights were of different colors and intensities: white, blue and even some red. It was so beautiful I could not stop admiring it. I did not even want to blink.
“Every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.” These words from the letter of Saint James remind me of that night on the desolate road looking up above at the Milky Way. I did nothing to deserve such a beautiful view. I just happened to be there. It was a perfect gift from above sent down my way so that my mind and heart could both be lifted up in wonder and awe.
For millennia humans have looked up at the sky and wondered about what lies beyond. The stars have kept us humble because they remind us of our littleness. The night sky speaks of something greater than us – something transcendent, mysterious and enormous. For millennia the night sky has spoken to us of gods and scary creatures, given us direction, and pointed us to a creator. I have often wondered if Saint James had a stunning night sky in mind when he described God as the “Father of lights” who gives every perfect gift from above. In particular, the greatest gift of all which is our salvation.
There is a false duality often discussed in Christian circles that involves the role of faith and works when it comes to our salvation. Some believe that somehow we can “earn” our salvation. The more we do, the more God will like us, and the more likely He will welcome us into heaven. Others think that regardless of what you do, good or bad, the only things necessary to be saved is to believe in Jesus.
Saint James writes however that faith without works is dead, and at the same time, we know that salvation comes from God alone and that it is freely given. It cannot be earned or merited because we cannot save ourselves. Salvation is a gift freely given.
To raise our eyes toward the night sky is an experience shared with every human being who has lived. The magnitude of the view speaks of the grandeur of God and His unmatchable generosity that has brought Him to our aid to save us. The Father of Lights continues to give us perfect gifts; amazing gifts that are more astounding than the beauty of the Milky Way.
Picture is from the public domain.
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