Lovely
Today's thought comes from Daniel's vision of the End Times and the Final Judgement.These are challenging verses, reminding us of the stakes of eternity.
At first glance there are two groups of people: those who receive eternal life and those who don't.
But a closer look indicates that there is a third group, a subset of those who receive eternal life, who will shine like stars...
| At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people--everyone whose name is found written in the book--will be delivered. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. (Daniel12:1-3) |
Who are the ones that shine like the brightness of the heavens and like the stars?
Those who are wise and who lead others to righteousness.
What does it mean to be wise? Is it experience? Is it learning the fundamentals of relationships and life that are, on the one hand, really obvious and simple, and on the other hand, often ignored for the sake of utility and comfort? Is it taking "the way less traveled?" What is wisdom? It's all of the aforementioned, but it's more: The writer of Proverbs nailed it when he said: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom."
Wise people live close to God and love Him and love what He loves. He loves people, He loves His creation, He loves order, He loves unity, He loves peace, He loves beauty and we can go on. Wise people love what God loves and live accordingly.
What does leading others to righteousness look like? I think it is summarised by what St Francis and then Mother Theresa said: "Preach the gospel at all times and use words if necessary...!" Star-bright lives are lives that are an example of the love of Christ and the holiness of God. Heavenly bright lives speak the message of God with love and grace so that lives around them are lifted up and transformed.
When we live like this we are LOVELY!
