When I was in middle school, as well as early on in high school, I had a continuous subscription to Girls’ Life magazine. I remember the first time I was ever given an issue of it…it was amazing, really. I was so glad to finally read a magazine just for my age group, and not as trashed up as many other tween-teen magazines that were out in our present day (although now in the past few years, they’ve started printing stories supporting some immoral practices and questionable articles).
One thing that I remembered in my young mind that I enjoyed were the horoscopes. I was a Gemini (until they added that new sign recently, now I’m a Cancer), and I found a sense of pride in that. Oh, yes. I thought they were just so fascinating; especially the ones in the issues that came in at the end of the year. These let us know what might be coming in the next year.
Now, I knew that they weren’t true. I just read them because they were fun, and it was the ‘in’ thing to do. Horoscopes were a big thing it seems when I was in middle school. I remember all the merchandise that came out with all the star signs, and what not, everyone proudly displaying their astrological sign. I never had a t-shirt, though, because I was told that it was wrong.
Now that I’m a little bit older, I’ve long since grown out of the whole horoscope thing. I grew out of it also due to the fact that I know now that as a Christian, that astrology is not something we need to be involved in. I actually know quite a few Christians that seem to be completely fascinated with it. You’ll see them with it on Facebook, or hear them talking about it.
Astrology is the belief and practice that the positions and motions of heavenly bodies (such as the sun, planets, moon, and stars) have an impact on human characteristics, activities, and futures. Many people in ancient pagan cultures used to worship objects in the sky. So, it would make sense that they would turn to them to tell them their futures, and how to live their lives.
Knowing this about astrology, does it really sound like something that we as Christians need to involve ourselves in? The stars and other heavenly bodies obviously do not control our lives, or say what our future will be. As Christians, God is the one who should have the say as to how we should live our lives and the One who should shape our future (Jer. 29:11, Isa. 41:23). One of the kings of Israel, Manasseh, found himself in disfavor with God because he began to worship the stars and practiced astrology (2 Kings 21:3-6).
I hear a lot of people say, “Oh, it’s just harmless fun. It’s not like I actually believe it or anything.” Okay, maybe so. But the truth is, a lot of people, even if they say they don’t believe it, will actually go and try to find things (even if it’s subconscious) that the horoscope said would happen. When we do this it takes the focus off of God and his plans for us. This can even be said of things like Ouija boards and tarot cards. While they may be fun, it can gradually make us lose trust in God. These sort of things are especially appealing to girls, for whatever reason, so it is really best that we avoid them altogether (plus, there are just some doors that aren’t meant to be opened, and I believe these are some of those things).
We need to do our best to make sure that there is absolutely nothing that can possibly get in the way of our trust in God. We need to remember that when we put focus on other things, we can easily get distracted and slip away from Him. Let us all make sure not to let anything come between us and God. Let us not forget that stars are just stars, and they are only there to study, give beauty in our universe, and to bring glory to God and to prove His existence (Romans 1:20). Let’s keep them in their place, shall we?
