How good it is to have ones health restored so I can get back about my Father's business. This week has been a pretty rough one, I'll just say. I reluctantly got out of my warm bed this morning with full intent to have my blogging done before noon and that just didn't happen.
I went into the kitchen and decided on a glass of crushed ice. Yea, strange I know.... here lately since I've been sick I've been doing all kinds of crazy things. I walked with my glass of crushed ice in hand to the window and God not only caught my eye but also caught my breath when I saw both a beautiful moon and sunrise through the window.
While witnessing this awesome image, I recalled a few facts from third grade science class. The moon only reflects light from the sun because it’s incapable of producing any by itself. Aren't we similar to the moon? How much light do we truly reflect from God’s only Son?
The New Moon Phase
25 the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Num. 6: 25, 26
New Moon - The Moon's side that isn't illuminated is facing the Earth. The Moon is not visible (except during a solar eclipse,) the lighted side of the Moon faces away from the Earth. This means that the Sun, Earth, and Moon are almost in a straight line, with the Moon in between the Sun and the Earth. The Moon that we see looks very dark.
The New Moon phase reminds me of a new Christian. Remember when we were newly saved? Our appetites were so veracious for His Word; we gladly turned our backs on anyone or anything that got in the way of our quiet time. Because we steadily looked in Jesus’ face for directions to every move we made, it was easier to turn our backs on sinful habits. As the moon faces away from the earth, we lost a few friends because they felt we turned our backs on them and old habits. However, the warmth we felt from being in close fellowship with Him was well worth their cold shoulder. We never knew such peace.
During this phase in a new Christian’s life, it’s easy to imagine our Heavenly Father singing this song to us.
Life can take your dreams and turn them upside down
Friends will talk about you when you're not around
Reality can really cut you down to size
But don't ever lose that light in your eyes
Don't ever lose My light in your eyes.
Friends will talk about you when you're not around
Reality can really cut you down to size
But don't ever lose that light in your eyes
Don't ever lose My light in your eyes.
People make you promises they'll never keep
Soon you'll know why people say talk is cheap
And life resembles one big compromise
But don't ever lose My light in your eyes. Original song by; Leeann Rhimes
Soon you'll know why people say talk is cheap
And life resembles one big compromise
But don't ever lose My light in your eyes. Original song by; Leeann Rhimes
Jesus, God’s holy Son is the light of the world. What are you doing to keep His Light in your eyes?
The Full Moon Phase
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Rom. 5:3-5
Full Moon - The Moon's illuminated side is facing the Earth. The Moon appears to be completely illuminated by direct sunlight. The lighted side of the Moon faces the Earth. This means that the Earth, Sun, and Moon are nearly in a straight line, with the Earth in the middle. The Moon that we see is very bright from the sunlight reflecting off it.
During this time, the true Windex test comes into play. By now it is common knowledge you are a believer. Many respect your opinion and judgment calls yet some just watch to see how you react to situations. Though we may be directly in line with God’s Son who radiates light on us, we also are on the same plane as the world. People are looking for a glimpse of a Savior. Do we reflect His light in a dark world?
Most of us have heard the definition for character as what we do when no one’s looking. Character is not only what we weep over. It’s also what we laugh about.
Do we take delight at things that are really funny or do we laugh at others misfortunes?
Can we truly say we are a reflection of Christ character? People will always need the Lord. What are you doing to show His Light in your eyes?
As the song says,
Life can take your dreams and turn them upside down
Friends will talk about you when you're not around
Reality can really cut you down to size
But don't ever lose that light in your eyes
Don't ever lose His Light your eyes.
Friends will talk about you when you're not around
Reality can really cut you down to size
But don't ever lose that light in your eyes
Don't ever lose His Light your eyes.
The Third Quarter Phase
He must become greater, I must become less. Jn. 3:30
Last Quarter - One-half of the Moon appears to be illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon's disk that is illuminated is decreasing. Sometimes called Third Quarter. The left half of the Moon appears lighted, and the right side of the Moon appears dark. During the time between the Full Moon and the Last Quarter Moon, the part of the Moon that appears lighted gets smaller and smaller every day. It will continue to shrink until the New Moon.
The last sentence of this definition is my prayer for us. In the “full moon” phase of our walk, we’ve had ample time to reflect Christ loving character. However, the longer we are facing Christ and show His nature while the world is watching, the more time there is to make mistakes.
Overcast days are unavoidable in spite of our best efforts when we fail to clearly show Christ’s radiance. During these cloudy times disappointing our Lord, others and us is inevitable. We often beat ourselves up because in our full moon stage, it’s easy to get comfortably confident. As “the Earth, Sun, and Moon are nearly in a straight line, with the Earth in the middle, the Moon that we see is very bright from the sunlight reflecting off it.” With the Lord and the world looking favorably at us, it’s easy to feel bullet proof. However, one slip or blot on our character sends us out of sync with the Lord and onlookers.
Although sin may find us for season, we can’t stay out of line with the Lord if our hearts are truly His. Discontentment moves in and won’t evacuate until we repent and turn towards Him. Just as the Last Quarter Moon continues to shrink until the New Moon, we finally learn in order to be truly happy, His presence must increase and we must daily decrease. With His presence increasing, the Light in our eyes inevitably increases.
Don't ever lose His Light in your eyes.
