“Starlight, star bright, first start I’ve seen tonight.
Wish I wish; wish I might, get the wish I wish tonight!”

“Make a wish! Make a wish!”
we’d say excitedly as someone blew out their birthday candle.

Have you ever thought about “wishes” and how they are a part of our everyday life?! Whether intentional or not, they slip into all areas, both great and small. We wish for nice weather, for time to rest, and for a loved one to be well. We wish to go to a certain event or for help with something. We wish for things to happen (or not happen),

There are a lot of long-held traditions that reflect our natural yearning for things that seem improbable or out of reach… Wishes express sympathy, expectation, or hope. I know that I have wished for things to be different or better. I have wished, and prayed for, family members to be well and for God to provide for needs. I have wished for times of rest, for warm sunny days, for hope for the future, and for family and others to find faith in God.

I think of all the crowds of people that followed after Jesus and his disciples. They came with a lot of needs and wishes, too. Jesus told the people to do to others what you wish for them to do to you:

“So, in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you,
for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)

Jesus used the same Greek word (thelō) when he was in the Garden of Gethsemane

‘Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed,
“My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.
Yet not as I will, but as you will.”’ (Matthew 26:39)

Isn’t that so amazing, and so very hard?! …Jesus modeled the ultimate wish, to give up his own wishes (his will) for God’s, to express his love for God and for others above himself. What a challenge that is for us!

As we gaze at the stars, celebrate another year in someone’s life, or just wish for better days and positive outcomes… May we consider what we wish for, what our will is, and release them to God’s care. Prayers that we will find encouragement and rest.

Charlotte-Anne Allen