“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” Matthew 5:14-15.
August 21st of this year something pretty awesome is going to take place. Have you heard or read about it? It’s a total eclipse of the heart, oh, I mean the sun. Well, for some parts of the U.S. anyway. Up here in the north country we will have a partial eclipse if we are lucky enough to have cloud free skies. Public safety announcement: don’t forget your eye protection.
With the upcoming eclipse and all the excitement about it, I’ve been reading a lot about the light and dark and how for just a very short time the animals will think it’s nighttime and become confused and start acting as if they are about to be in darkness for the next eight hours or so. Aside from that, if I’m being totally honest I can’t help but occasionally break out singing Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart”. You’re welcome, you will now have that song stuck in your head for the rest of the day won’t you? Come on, sing a few words with me…”once upon a time there was light in my life, now there’s only love in the dark…forever’s gonna start tonight, forever’s gonna start tonight.” Can you even get through this without having to finish your hairbrush karaoke? I’m struggling to. Hahaha!
I’ve even recently read an “eclipse day preparation” article telling people to shop for food and gas early, check on the elderly, don’t drive on the highways if you can help it bc people will be stopping to watch and it could be dangerous. When considering all the scientific facts and preparations of this event I can’t help but put a Kingdom perspective on the light and dark that will touch America in a few short weeks. What would it look like if we prepped for eternity like we do for the temporary things of this world?
Jesus tells us that He is the light of the world, we are to follow suit and be a city on a hill, a lamp that lights the whole house. We cannot be covered up. He has overcome the darkness. With this upcoming “total” eclipse, does it mean that the sun is being turned off? No! Is darkness coming to stay? No! In fact, the sun will still be visible as it shines around the edges of the moon. It can’t be hidden. Though the animals may be confused, we will not be. We know that even if forever was to start tonight, those of us who have the light living in us will never be in total darkness. We may have seasons of darkness, but it will never consume us. Just as the moon will on the 21st, that season of darkness too shall pass and once it does, those that get to witness our testimony of coming through that darkness better have some eye protection because the light will be radiating off of us so immensely that no doubt others will be affected. May we all be reminded that no matter what or who tries to dim our light, the Son cannot be in total darkness, which means neither can we if He’s living within us. Let your light shine beautiful people, forever could start tonight.
Leah Parkin
August 2017