On Monday, I had the once in a lifetime opportunity to view the 2017 solar eclipse in totality. Even though I knew I could see it “almost total” from home, I had a great desire to view the full event, so off to South Carolina I went early on Monday morning. Since Monday, I have heard several comments about how for many people the event was underwhelming. I know in some areas of the country the eclipse was obscured by cloud cover, but where I was, it couldn’t have been more perfect.
The moment of totality took my breath away, and for me was a truly spiritual moment. I took my glasses off and gazed at the sun – covered completely by the moon. But there was something about the totality that has stayed with me. You see, even in the darkness, there was the corona, the small ring of light, still visible in the darkness.
We are living in a time that feels dark, but the eclipse was a picture for me that even in the total darkness, the light of Love still shines. John 1:4 tells us, “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” Jesus, the Light of the World, still shines through the darkness. This promise was made real for me on Monday.
But, we must also remember that Jesus said to us, “You are the light of the world…Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” My prayer is that we can carry the light of Christ with us every day as we move into the world sharing the Good News.
~Pastor Jane