Be a Star

BRUCE  LICHT

The desire to find God and to understand the reality of His existence is among the most profound human endeavors. It’s a journey often seen as being complex, yet perhaps the path is more straightforward? The pursuit can be distilled into a simple three-step process: First, cultivating a virtuous character that reflects divine attributes. Second, taking the appropriate, necessary initial step. Third, developing unwavering will. Let’s explore these stages further.

First: Consider this choice: Would you prefer to be a giant, shining star in the sky or a small, easily overlooked grain of sand on a beach? (1) The star is a source of immense light and warmth, while sand is merely trampled upon unnoticed. Within you lies the potential for either existence. This isn’t a matter of fate, but a deliberate choice for intentional growth. To begin the journey of finding God, one must first choose the pathway of significance—cultivating a burning desire to be an upstanding individual, with the goal to draw near to God and make His Name great, versus your own.

Second: Building on the foundation of a virtuous character with the aim of glorifying God, the next challenge is action. A common mistake is misalignment of effort. Imagine buying a pair of shoes in size 12 when your feet are only size 8. The shoes would fall right off. Finding God requires taking a first step that is the “right size” for you. A step that is too big, too small, or misdirected will not lead to progress. The promise inherent in this pursuit is reciprocal: When you turn toward God and take that correctly sized first step, He turns toward you. (2)  My own life experience confirmed this advice. I was told by a friend, "Here is how it’s going to work. You are going to turn toward God, and take small steps, and your life will just get better and better," and he was right!

Third: The journey demands perseverance. Thomas Edison famously discovered the light bulb on his 2,000th experiment. (3) When asked about his 1,999 "failures," he reframed them saying, "It was a 2,000-step process. It was 2,000 steps of will power. Each failure willed me forward."

Will power, with humility, is the engine of manifestation. A sustained and focused will to succeed or improve, done for God’s glory and not one’s own, can overcome nearly any obstacle. When we truly will something into being out of a sincere love and gratitude for God, we forge the channels necessary for connection, opening the pathway to find and honor Him.

In essence, the search for God need not be a daunting odyssey. It’s a deliberate undertaking shaped by choice, action, and persistence. By embracing this three-pronged approach, the seemingly complex route can be simplified into manageable, purposeful steps.

Ultimately, this journey can open the gate to a connection that’s already present. The divine is not a distant destination but an ever-present reality, just waiting to be recognized through our love and dedication for Him.