Sure on this shining night
I weep for wonder wand’ring far alone
Of shadows on the stars
On this shining night.1
In the still of night we stand in awe of the cosmos. No matter where we live, we see a canopy of stars—most likely, the same stars seen when we were born, when our ancestors lived, when the world began. And they will be seen by those who come after us.
Just gaze at the night sky. Find a place away from the hustle and bustle of the day, a place where it’s dark and quiet, and look up into heaven. Ponder its vast magnificence and infinite immensity.
Most of us rush about during the day, coming and going in a hurry to get things done. We fall into bed, tired and relieved—another day is over. The day is beautiful, but so is the night. Night is the time when the world sleeps and our bodies rest. We need quiet, silence, peace. We need the stillness and darkness of night to rejuvenate, and to see our place in the cosmos.
Here we are, living and breathing on this beautiful planet, wondering if our lives matter, if things will work out, if there is life everlasting, but just look into the night sky. We are part of something bigger, something significant, something more. Even in the darkness of night, we are not alone. Small though we may be in the midst of such vast creations, we are part of the Creator’s plan. and we are here for a purpose.
Just as the stars glitter in their spot in space, no one can take your place. You matter. Life on earth would be different if you were not here. There’s a reason you’re here, and just as the stars reflect ages past and future, so do you. You are here to make a difference, to shed light and love on others. As you make contributions in your unique way, you’ll see that in the darkness of night, the light of each star shines with divine purpose.
Program #3942
1. James Agee, “Sure on This Shining Night” (1934).