Hats, boots, and coats flew on in hurried fashion in preparation for the below 20 degree weather outside. “Hurry,” was the watch word on every lip, “Hurry or we will miss it!” Boot string were hurriedly pulled and tied, hats were yanked over heads in raped succession, gloves were jerked on, and coats zipped. Then out the door everyone raced. Flash lights flipped on and the hurried sound of scurrying feet in the crisp darkness of early morning was soon heard as we made our way down our driveway to see what a Lunar Eclipse looked like.
It had been just the night before that we had heard about the Lunar Eclipse that was to happen that very morning at around six. We had been afraid that we would not be able to see it, since the moon would be low in the Western sky at that time of morning, and we do not have a very good view of that portion of the sky, but we were willing to try. Dad had announced “Anyone who wants to see the eclipse be ready to go at six o'clock.” So off to bed we had quickly dashed so that we could get a good night’s rest.
Now we were out braving the coolness of the early morning with an enthusiastic anticipation for a new adventure. Cresting the small rise in our driveway, we eagerly walked on, careful of where we placed our feet on the slippery ice, but yet not slowing our pace.
“Turn off your flashlights,” Dad directed, “let your eyes get used to the darkness.” Immediately the night surrounded us and our eyes began to adjust. It was then that we noticed the beauty of the clear heavens above us. Stars twinkled like little diamonds across the dark sky, for their brightness was not covered by the immense glow of a full moon.
“This will be good,” dad said turning around so that we could all see the Western sky. Following his lead our eyes rested on the object for this early morning adventure in the cold, ‘The darkened moon.’ It was just coming out from under the shadow of the earth, but was still mostly covered by its shade. As I stood there watching until it disappeared behind the tall trees, my mind could not help but be drown to my Maker. And then it was that He gave me the spiritual lesson I so needed.
“When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Psalm 8:3,4)
David, in his Kingly years, penned these amazing words; “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge.” (Psalms 19:1,2) As I paused there, gazing at the moon in those early morning hours, it seemed that God was really “showing knowledge” through the heavens.
The moon is a very interesting part of our solar system. Unlike stars it has no light of its own; it is completely reliant on the light from the sun. I will let Mrs. White draw the connection between the Christian and the moon. “Christians are set as light bearers on the way to heaven. They are to reflect to the world the light shining upon them from Christ. Their life and character should be such that through them others will get a right conception of Christ and of His service.” {Steps to Christ 115.2} “Humanity has in itself no light. Apart from Christ, we are like an unkindled taper, like the moon when her face is turned away from the sun; we have not a single ray of brightness to shed into the darkness of the world. But when we turn toward the Sun of Righteousness, when we come in touch with Christ, the whole soul is aglow with the brightness of the divine presence.” {Sons and Daughters of God 281.4} "’Ye are the light of the world,’ said Christ to His disciples. As the sun goes forth in the heavens, dispelling the shades of night, and filling the world with brightness, so must the followers of Jesus let their light shine to dispel the moral darkness of a world lying in sin. But they have no light of themselves; it is the light of Heaven which they are to reflect to the world.” {Reflecting Christ 379.2}
This was the spiritual lesson that Christ was giving to me. Like the moon, which has no light of its own, but looks to the sun for its brightness, so I am to look to the Sun of Righteousness and reflect His rays. But Christ did not stop there, He showed me one thing more. “Child, if you let the world get between me and you, you will be like this darkened moon.” Immediately I started looking to my own life, to see if there was anything that was hindering me from reflecting Christ in my life.
Brothers and sisters is there anything in your life that is making it so you cannot see the Son! I plead with you, “Look to Christ, take your eyes of the world, do not be allured by its supposed glory and glitter.” The Bible gives us this promise in Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Our we, brothers and sisters, willing to look to Jesus, to endure the cross, to despise the shame, so that we might reflect Christ to a world that is dying?
