What do The Lion King, Abraham, Psalm 8, and you (yes, you!) have in common?

There’s a scene in the Disney animated movie The Lion King where Mufasa, the lion king, shows his young son Simba the innumerable stars spread across the African night sky. Those stars represent his ancestors, Mufasa says. Always with them; always watching over them. Mufasa, voiced by basso profondo James Earl Jones, then intones these ominous words to Simba: “Remember who you are.” You are the son not only of a king, but of countless kings before you.

That scene is kind of New Agey with a Buddhist twist, where ancestors are remembered and honored in a way that borders on – or crosses into – worship. But it reminds me of the occasion in Genesis 15:5, when God takes Abraham outside and says, “Look up at the heavens and count the stars – if indeed you can count them… So shall your offspring be.”

In the fictional cartoon we have a lion prince looking back and feeling the weight of history on his shoulders. In the Bible we have an old, childless man receiving the covenant promise from Almighty God that he will not only have a son, but will have as many descendants as there are stars in the heavens. One is pointed to his royal ancestry; the other to his future, miraculous progeny.

And that’s where you come in. Through faith in Christ, you are one of those promised descendants of Abraham! When you look at the night sky, you can imagine all your ancestors leading back to Abraham 4,000 years ago, and your brothers and sisters in Christ today, and those still yet to come, until Christ returns as King.

You’ve probably figured out the connection from the opening question. It’s a dot-to-dot-to-dot-to-dot – of stars. Psalm 8 is also about stars, the literal ones decorating the night, and about our majestic Lord who put them there. The same Lord who put you, and me, and Abraham, and everyone saved through his covenant in place. His place. Secured by the Prince of Peace.

So, you may be thinking, as the theme of this issue is stewardship, what does all this starry-ancestor-progeny-covenant talk have to do with that? Simply this. Tonight, if the sky is clear, go outside and consider the stars. Then consider Whose handiwork they are. And then, imagine your King speaking softly into your ear: “My child, remember Whose you are.”

You are a child and heir of the Creator of the universe. You belong to him. You are a member of God’s royal family. Remember that, and you’ll see that your time, and your talents, and your money, and your property, and your possessions, and even your earthly family are not really yours at all. Abraham was richly blessed so that he could be a blessing to others. So, dear child of the King of kings, are you.

Randy Mortenson serves Ebenezer Lutheran Brethren Church in Mayville, North Dakota

(You may have noticed that the Magazine used RE:Apply as the name for this column, but the name was changed to RE:Think after it was sent to the printer and that is the name that will be used in the future)

By Randy Mortenson

Randy Mortenson serves as pastor of Ebenezer Lutheran Brethren Church, Mayville, ND. He is also the author of the re:Think column.