SWING ON HEAVEN'S STAR

by CHARLES ROBEY
(MOODY AL USA)

PROLOGUE

Are you old enough to remember that old pop song ‘Swinging on a Star' composed by Jimmy Van Heusen with lyrics by Johnny Burk? Maybe not, as it was introduced by Bing Crosby in the 1944 film Going My Way. It was given an Academy Award for the Best Original Song that year. Now do you remember? Well, just ask your Papaw, he may sing it for you.

The stars were created on the fourth day of creation along with the sun and moon, and throughout time have remained a mystery. (Genesis 1:16-17) They have always revealed the power and divine nature of God. There’s no way we can begin to comprehend the heavens and the stars. (Jeremiah 33:22)

Science tells us the North Star, also called Polaris is about 430 lightyears from Earth. This means if you were in a car going 100 miles per hour that never stops, it would take you about 3 thousand million years to travel that distance. (Internet)

Astronomy was the early means of guidance for man’s direction of travel. And most importantly, a bright star appeared in the heavens announcing the arrival of the Son of God. (Matthew 2:2) Yet some say, even considering all the information at hand, that there is no God. (Romans 1:19-20)

Now I ask, have you ever gazed out into a star-filled night, trying to count those stars? It's an impossible task with our limited human intellect. One of the most beautiful events of a starry night is catching sight of a falling star, and of course we’ve all probably wished upon the first star of the evening.

May we now draw a parallel between the afore-mentioned hit song's lyrics and this blog entitled “Swing on Heaven's Stars.”

“Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all stars of light! Praise Him, highest heavens, And the waters that are above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the Lord, For He commanded and they were created. He has also established them forever and ever; He has made a decree which will not pass away.” (Psalm 148:3-6)

It was our semi-annual astronomy club's night out. The time was just right. We were all waiting patiently for just the right moment to gaze at the heavenly wonders. That’s when I drifted off into another of my dream world experiences. They seem to be coming more frequently lately and without warning.

I was transported up into the heavens, where I met a most unusual character coming out of nowhere. From what I could gather, he must have been an ancient Babylonian astronomer. He was dressed every bit the part, in a decorative print fringed skirt and matching shawl. Suspended from his belt were the many tools of his trade.

All of a sudden, we both were swirling around the night amongst heaven's tremendous starlit sky. We moved in unison but swung on separate stars. What would be the outcome of this most unusual adventure? He then spoke out, his voice echoing loudly within the open atmosphere.

“We will be traveling from then, into now, and on into the future,” was his decree.

“How may this be?” I wondered.

Suddenly we came to rest on a large cloud. We had arrived in the past. It was heaven on earth, just like my Papaw had told me endless times, as he would look back to the past. “If only Papaw could only be here,” I thought, brushing away a tear.

The scenery consisted of no vehicles, only transportation by horse or foot. There were no traffic lights, no street lights, only lanterns hanging from posts. No sidewalks, nor trees. No convenience stores or shopping malls.

Eye-catching for me were the people, all ever so polite, Patriotism was everywhere and religion was the main theme, in all action and communications.

The unusual clothing caught my eye. Ladies wearing long, flowing dresses, whirling lacy umbrellas, carrying decorated pocketbooks to match hurriedly crossed the streets to avoid the horses.

My only regret was that we had to move on. I could have stayed in such a setting forever.

“Let’s now move on,” was my new friend's mournful cry. And we were off.

Next stop was the present. Just as quickly as our visit into the past, we were submerged within a deep, dark cloud filled of chaos, disorder and confusion. Humanity's manufactured mayhem was everywhere. Official law enforcement and emergency medical providers were nowhere to be seen.

Government wielded unconstitutional laws that were visible and totally out of control, as well as the court system. Religious influences were nowhere to be found. Inflated personal living was everywhere beyond the reach of regular people.

”Please, kind Sir, can we move on, back to the past or maybe the future? It’s surely the now for me all over again. I just can’t take it!” I cried.

He spoke. “No need moving on beyond the now, my good man. The now is the future. You need only take a hard look at the now through the eyes of the social news media, and compare it all to the truth of the holy Scripture. You’ll see, we are swiftly moving there, toward the future, that is.”

Pulling a New Testament from within his garment he commenced reading extensively from the holy Scripture. (II Timothy 3:1-5, 7,9,13) and (II Timothy 4:3-4)

He continued with his Scriptural summary, “Perilous times are now here. It’s mass corruption and a breakdown of a free society's laws and traditions. You see a populace holding to a form of godliness without its spiritual reality. You see, people are no longer interested in hearing the gospel truth, for they had rather be delighted and amused by untruthful teachings. It's about the now and the future, the Me, Myself, and I syndrome, with a side dish of what’s in it for me?"

“Wow, he should have been a preacher!” I thought to myself.

“OK, I get your drift, my dear preacher friend. As you have so vividly shown me, we are surely now living in the future. (I Timothy 4:1-2) We are assuredly grasping at the straws of evil intent, of what feels good, instead of what the Bible tells us is good. Wouldn't you say so yourself?”

However, my question was not met with an answer. We were no longer floating in the starry heavens. As seems to be the pattern lately, my dream had abruptly ended. I was safely back home, sitting in my man-cave. Once again I was left with no conclusion.

My wife must have really missed me this time around.

"Dear, dear, what was all that turmoil and commotion about? Please don’t tell me, you were again caught up in one of your uncontrollable dream world episodes!" she exclaimed.

"Yes Dear," I replied. "Would you please bring me down a glass of sweet tea and some of your famous homemade butter cookies, to cool me down a bit, as I pray a simple little prayer of thanks for being home with you? Thank you, Dear, as always." Amen!

(Ecclesiastes 4:9-10; 12) "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up ...Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."


EPILOGUE

Did you enjoy this fiction parable? Can you fit into our main character's shoes as he wore his religious feelings on his shoulders? Could you say that he was surely tired and weary of his country’s progressive performance and conduct? What about you, beloved?

I'm sure you've heard the old adage, "You can't go home again." This idiom is just one among the many cultural statements quoted down through the ages. But what does it mean to a wanderer who carries their home with them, to a runaway child abused by his parents, to a homeless man who has no home? To me, home actually means a place of comfort and safety where one is loved by all concerned. So, is the meaning of this old expression physical or is it just a philosophical pipe dream?

What are you doing with all your free time? Oops, let me qualify that question somewhat. If you are like me, you really don't have much free time, what with all those honey-do chores and all that comes with them that have been stacking up waiting through those days of leisure. Now my time in retirement is really not my own. Of course, these chores are all freebies with no monetary reward, just an occasional big hug and a wink or two.

I can’t wait for another patriotic blog, by way of my trusty tool of the trade, my laptop. Maybe, as usual, I’ll awaken in the night, go to the fridge and down a glass of cold chocolate milk along with a big butter cookie, and crack open my laptop and peck out another interesting bit of musing. Don't want to wake the wife, of course. So, to quote the Terminator, the Lord willing, “I’ll be back!” Amen!