It happened! And I saw it! On April 8, 2024 the moon passed before the sun, the temperature dropped, the wind shifted. We protected our eyes and we stood amazed with millions of our neighbors— all eyes looking at one specific spot in the sky. Darkness arrived at mid day and so did the goose-bumps!
Darkness almost, almost, shut out light— but not quite! Light showed all around the perimeter of the moon. Darkness did not prevail. Light could not be hidden nor could it be overcome. What a witness to the power of Light.
Ekleipsis, is the Greek origin of the word eclipse. It means to be abandoned because people who worshiped the sun felt terrified as the source of not only light but their hope left them alone. Have you ever felt like that? Have you ever put your hope in something or someone and then something came between you and you felt abandoned? Darkness comes in many forms and the chill follows.
So, as a child of God, as a person who knows God and trusts God, what are some of the people or things or influences that obscure Him from time to time? Is there anything you allow to get between you and God that— even for a moment— eclipses His glory?
Then, read Psalm 8 and think about what it means to consider the work of God’s hands. From the most infinitesimally small but also to the immensity of the known universe, and beyond. How does all of that make you feel when you consider the Creator God knows you, sees you and loves you? And as believers in Christ, we can hold tight to the promise that there is absolutely nothing that can separate us from His love! (Romans 8:38-39).
The eclipse isn’t just an opportunity to share in an event that captivates the imagination. This is a moment to stand in awe of the Creator God, the source of all light and life, to worship and adore Him.
One more thing, in the same way that you cannot look directly at the eclipse, you cannot look at the glory of God. It’s just too much for us to handle.
When Jesus was transfigured in front of Peter, John and James, He talked with Moses and Elijah who appeared in glory. Jesus’ face “shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.” And when a voice spoke, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,” the disciples fell on their faces terrified (Matthew 17:1-13). Saul discovered God’s splendor on the road to Damascus when he fell on his face and pled, “Who are You, Lord?” and was led away blind (Acts 9:1-9). God’s shekinah glory, His radiance, the dazzling light of His presence, shines just as brightly today as ever. Moses’ experience in Exodus 33:19-23 is a good reminder: God hid Moses in the cleft of the rock so that His glory could pass because, “…You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.”
But neither can we live without the Light of His radiance!
I am so thankful today for the reality of light that makes life possible and for the Light of the Word who dwelt among us and for the light that now shines through Christ’s disciples in each dark and perverse generation.
So, go be shiny today and do not allow anything or anyone to eclipse the Light.
