Did you see the total solar eclipse (April 8, 2024)? I hope that you did. It was truly amazing. If you missed it, the next one in the contiguous United States should occur in 2044 (When is the Next Solar Eclipse in the United States?, accuweather, YouTube). The next one in central Texas should be in 2343 (Next Solar Eclipse in Austin, Texas, KXAN.com).
God created an interesting relationship between the Sun and the Moon. The moon does not produce its own light. It can reflect the light of the sun. It can also block the light of the sun. It can totally eclipse it (The sun is about 400 times the size of the moon. It is also about 400 times farther away from the Earth).
This relationship between the Sun and the Moon causes me to think about our relationship to God. The word of God is compared to the light in the firmament (expanse) above (Romans 10:17-18 cf. Psalm 19:1-4). Jesus is described as the light of the world (John 8:12). We may bear or reflect God’s light, but he cannot produce true light (cf. Isaiah 8:20).
Are we shining as light in this world? “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life…” (Philippians 2:14-16). “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts… having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that… they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:11-12).
Are we hiding the light? “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand?” (Mark 4:21). “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18).
God certainly wants His light to shine on Earth. Paul wrote, “It is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). This addresses why Paul preached. Darrell Beard comments, “Verse 6… explains why Paul devoted himself to preaching Christ and serving others… As God brought light out of darkness in the material creation (Genesis 1:3-5), so He has illuminated our hearts with the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (Studies in 2 Corinthians editor Dub McClish, 8th Annual Denton Lectures, p. 114). J.W. McGarvey comments, “Paul… declares that it is his business to reflect the light of Christ which has shone in his heart; for God sent His son to be the light of earth’s darkness. The apostle here alludes to the glorified face of Christ which appeared to him on the way to Damascus. After such a vision it was impossible that Paul could look upon himself as any other that a reflector of the true light which was sent from God (McGarvey, Thessalonians, Corinthians, Galatians, Romans, p. 189).
Are we shining?
“This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.
Oh this little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.
Let it shine, all the time, let it shine.
All around the neighborhood, I’m going to let it shine…
Hide it under a bushel? No!
I’m going to let it shine…
Bryan Hodge 