Last night I went outside to look for Jupiter.

“Look to the east,” I was told.

“After sunset, Jupiter will be the brightest thing in the sky.”

“You can see it even from the city.”

The great planet was brighter than usual last night because it was the closest it’s been to earth in 59 years. It hasn’t been that close and that bright since October 1963, and it won’t be that close and that bright again until 2129.

When I first went outside, I saw a plane overhead since our house is not far from the airport. But then I looked to the east, and sure enough, I saw a bright light in the sky. I didn’t have binoculars or a telescope, so I couldn’t see the moons of Jupiter or the planet’s characteristic bands of colour. But I could definitely see a bright light, and I stood there a while to make sure it wasn’t another plane in the distance.

None of my neighbours were out at that time, so standing and staring at the sky felt rather lonely. But I thought about God’s light in Jesus come to earth. I thought about my Dearheart who would have come outside with me to look for Jupiter. I thought about this song by Laura Smith, Safe Home, Sweet Light.

The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.
John 1:4-5

Writing/Reflection Prompt: When you’re longing for light, where do you look?

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