Tips from the Eclipse
10 April 2024
What are your take-aways from Monday’s eclipse?
Whether you were one of the COS folks who traveled to the Midwest to secure your chair under the “Path of Totality,” looked up under our 84% covered Georgia skies, or monitored scenes nationwide via TV, most of you have “eclipse lips” and are talking about their experience.
moons-shadow image
What are your take-aways from Monday’s eclipse?
Here are a few faith insights I’ve enjoyed hearing:
“Dark cannot over shadow light. We were 84% covered! Yet it was still so bright and beautiful out (here in Georgia)! The 84% darkness still didn’t stand a chance to the 16% light,” says Ingrid Hudson, our COS Director of Children & Family. And even with the moon totally covering the sun, the ring of light proved that darkness could not win. Yes, what a neat illustration of John 1.5: “(God’s) life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”
We’re fellow humans more than we are people of specific nations or political parties. Many testified how refreshing it felt, amid politically divisive times, to show up at watch parties where everyone was unified by this majestic moment of delighting in our common humanity as earthlings who share this marvelous planet.
Darkness does make a difference. During the eclipse, the breeze picked up, temperatures dropped, and some animals started to act goofy and confused. Maybe that’s a theological truth as well. In dark times, we can act a bit confused and chaotic too. While Jesus’ light will never be totally eclipsed, we should take ownership of our calls to live as “children of the light” (John 12.36 and more) wherever we go. Our behavior and attitude make a difference. No hiding our lights under the bushel!
In a healthy way, we can remember we’re tiny. Maybe it was after an eclipse thousands of years ago that the Psalmist was moved to write, “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are humans that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?” (Psalm 8.3-4). I heard a lot of people share similar sentiments Monday. “Wow, looking up at the heavens; it’s amazing to remember how vast is God’s cosmos! We are not the center of the universe, but just a tiny speck. So, thank you, God, for caring for me and us! And may we realize how infinitely special our planet is and step up to steward it well.”
How about you, faith friends? Do you have a special moment or insight from Monday? Anything on your “eclipse lips” that you’d be willing to share? Shoot me an email response; I’d love to read it.
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever . .
who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever;
the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever;
the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever.
Psalm 136
In Christ’s hope,
Pastor Fritz
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Reminder: We look forward to honoring Pastor Miriam’s 25+ years of faithful ministry and retirement at this Saturday’s reception, 2-5 PM and Sunday morning services. See you there.
