Stars Shine Brighter in Dark Skies

Sedona, AZ lies within an International Dark Sky area. For most Americans, stars are what we see burning brightly on stage or the movie screen, not twinkling faintly overheard. And Milky Way is a candy bar — not the luminous 100 billion-star galaxy to which our solar system belongs.

Blame light pollution, a collective term that includes all forms of artificial light, but most conspicuously the perpetual sky glow that hovers over urban areas. As a result, the typical city or suburban dweller can only see several dozen faint points of light during the course of a clear night, not the horizon-to-horizon array of 7,000 to 10,000 blue, white, yellow, orange and red celestial bodies that are actually up there.

Likewise, it is true that as our world becomes darker with sinful behavior, moral depravity and senseless lawlessness, those who allow the light of Christ to illuminate through them will not have their influence extinguished by the darkness. Rather, their consistent and faithful walk with the Lord will shine even brighter than ever before and each one will be recognized more clearly as they stand out in the dark.

"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)