Up Above the World So High

To be in a specific place at an unplanned time, and see something so rare that only a handful of people on this side of the globe would see it, is a miracle in itself. Then one must think back to the varying events prior, which led up to that one special moment. Last night, Adam and I were taking a walk around my neighborhood, completely without any particular destination in mind. We came to a bit of a downhill shortly before we were to take the next left. The trees around us left open a large window to the starry night sky. I was gazing up at it occasionally. Adam was talking to me about something. I do not remember what about, for in that exact moment, as we neared the end of the street and my eyes drifted to the expanse above, a shooting star passed by. Adam saw it, too.

Now, this was no ordinary shooting star. This had been a massive ball of burning white light, followed by a blazing purple and blue streak of a tail. I do not know how far away it was or where it was headed, but as it hurled itself across the galaxy in an attempt to stay hidden from the sight of Earth's inhabitants, it let down its guard for just a moment. And in that moment we were able to catch a glimpse of its wondrous beauty. We were left standing in awe as it revealed itself to us for only half a second. That is how it came. That is how it went. There was no time in between for hello or goodbye. Just a shy wave before it saw us staring. And for a shooting star, I’ll bet, time slows down, and it can see all the going-ons below for what they are. And for that shooting star we saw, we had seen it for much too long, and it was embarrassed for having been so careless as to let itself be visible to humans. Of course, for us, we had only seen it for an instant.

But I think every shooting star is also secretly flattered when it realizes it has been seen by human eyes, for are the only creatures who can truly appreciate beauty, whether it is emotionally or intellectually. That shooting star last night must have seen the expression of awe on both our faces, and the few others who happened to be as lucky as we were, and felt delighted for receiving such complements from smiling human eyes. Anyways, whatever that shooting star was thinking, Adam and I just happened to be in the right place at the right time, together. But like I said, to be in a specific place at an unplanned time, and see something so rare that only a handful of people on this side of the globe would see it, is a miracle in itself. This had been no coincidence.

Earlier that night, we had been hanging out at my house watching movies and the like. Suddenly, the content mood we had been in changed when Emily and her friends started having band practice. But it was not just the hard sound of the music or the harsh vocals alone that directed us into an uncomfortable vibe. There was too much going on. Our movie clashed with their playing, the house was cluttered with stuff, and above all, we had not spent much time with God. Adam was first to experience this negative energy and went outside to get away. I followed to make sure he was okay. Upon learning what was bothering him, I suggested we take a walk. He agreed.

It was chilly outside, but nice. I went inside to put on long sleeves and flip-flops. When I came back out, we prayed. We lifted up our troubles to God and asked for spiritual healing. What was to be a walk of escape, suddenly, became an enjoyable nighttime stroll. And so we meandered through the streets, conversing over various things, and providing each other with good company. Eventually, we ended up on a street that we don’t normally go down when we do go for walks, a street that I am not so familiar with. In some great way, God put it on our hearts to turn that way, and we did. And at the end of that street, passed the little downhill, is where we caught sight of a brilliant shooting star. The only time I ever saw one was so long ago that I couldn’t remember what they looked like in real life. I had to ask Adam what it was. He said it was the biggest shooting star he had ever seen, and that we’d probably never see one that big again. It was so big and so bright that our attention was immediately drawn to it, despite the fact that my eyes had been elsewhere in the sky, and that Adam hadn’t even been looking at the sky at all.

I must say this again. To be in a specific place at an unplanned time, and see something so rare that only a handful of people on this side of the globe would see it, is a miracle in itself. Praise God! How wonderfully and mysteriously He works! Amen!