We May Never Be A Supernova, But We're "Somewhere In The Constellation"

The familiar constellation Orion in the night sky.

In this closing chapter of my life, I realize I'll never achieve the level of greatness I sometimes fantasized about in my youth. 

But that's OK. I'm finding it more important to see myself as a part of a constellation of believers who help the world see visible signs of heaven here on earth. Each of us has only a bit part, but it takes the prayers and efforts of all to make God's will and God's way shine bright on earth as it does in heaven.

Our Pittsburgh-based singer songwriter son wrote the following thoughtful piece a decade ago:

Andromeda shines bright, a moonless night, it’s hard to miss her,
she’s a galaxy, a new tattoo, she’s made of glowing ceiling stickers..
I heard you got a contact high hanging out with some famous guy,
who am I to criticize? we all take what we can get,
lately I’ve come to realize, and it’s a kind of liberation:
I’m not the brightest in the sky, but I’m somewhere in the constellation..

we’re all born with ancient brains from back when we hunted on the plains,
and though an awful lot has changed, we still chase the things we taste:
salt, sugar, sex, starch, fat and love—we crave all of the above,
and it feels right when we find them, but we can never get enough..

 Orion’s belt’s got loops that the hunter never uses,
 and the dippers, they’re just scoops for extra stars strewn all about,
 extra stars that hang around, hoping someday they might count,
 they’re not holding down the corners, they’re just filling in the background..

so you could love me, you may not.. anyway I’ll take my shot,
really what else could go wrong, you’re already in this song,
so if I sing it from afar, it’s to remind me of my station,
‘cause I’m not the brightest star, I’m just somewhere in the constellation.

 Orion’s belt’s got loops that the hunter never uses,
 and the dippers, they’re just scoops for extra stars strewn all about,
 we’re the stars that hang around, hoping someday we’ll be found,
 we’re not holding down the corners, we’re just filling in the background..

so you got a contact high hanging out with that famous guy,
I don’t need to wonder why, we all get what we can take,
though I may never be the star that points you to your destination,
look up anywhere you are, I’ll be somewhere in the constellation,
no, I may never be the star that points you to your destination,
but look up anywhere you are, I’ll be somewhere in the constellation...

- Brad Yoder, 2011 (all rights reserved)