On my way to work this morning I saw a shooting star. In my 48 years of life I had never seen one, except in the movies. So I did a little Internet research this morning.

Apparently the book to consult on the meaning of meteorites is John Burke's Cosmic Debris: Meteorites in History. He tells me that if I lived in Switzerland I might believe that my meteor possessed the power of God. I hope not, because it's gone now. If I were a Swabian (a kind of German) I would now expect a year of good fortune, though if I see two more before dawn I am doomed to die. I think I'll close my window. In Baltic countries some believe that each of us has a personal star which falls upon our death; I hope not, at least until the Cowboys win a playoff game (which could be a while).

In Chili I must pick up a stone when seeing a meteor; I hope my laptop will suffice. In the Philippines, I was supposed to tie a knot in a handkerchief before the light faded. Since I don't have one, I'm in trouble there. Some Americans say that pointing to a meteor is bad luck; I wonder what happens when I write about one (and you read what I write). In 1492 a meteor fell in Alsace (now France); the Holy Roman Emperor Maximillian asked his council to determine its meaning. They decided that the meteor was a good omen in his wars with France and the Turks. They were wrong.

We're all looking for ways to ensure an uncertain future. Today's New York Times reports that the British security service MI5 is now using emails to alert the public to changes in the security threat level. The Times also tells us that a new admissions process for highly coveted gifted-and-talented programs in New York City's elementary schools is not going well. Last-minute exam notices are common; one seven-year-old in Brooklyn was designated to take the exam in Chinese. Since ancient Chinese thought meteors were dragons sent as messengers from heaven, maybe mine would help.

What about the future most bothers you this morning? Health issues? Financial worries? Struggles in your marriage or family? Problems with friends at school? A decision you're struggling to make? The psalmist says to look up, not to meteors but mountains: "I look up to the mountains--does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth! He will not let you stumble and fall; the one who watches over you will not sleep. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never tires and never sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade" (Psalm 121:1-5, NLT). The God of meteors and mountains is looking at you, right now. Are you looking at him?

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