Lessons From the Moon

Jan 18, 2011 by desiringvirtue

September 3, 2009

Richard and I had to take separate cars home last night from church, so I was uncommonly alone for the 40 minute drive. For some reason I didn’t turn on the radio, just quietly drove home lost in my own thoughts. At one point in time I looked up to see the beautiful moon and was reminded of the many ways it is a perfect picture of what it means to be a Christian.

You see, the moon reflects a glorious light all night long while the sun is away. But the light can never be attributed to the moon’s glory; we know that it is only because of the sun that we can even see it. Without the sun, the moon would be lost and ugly, without any real purpose.

In the same way, we as Christian’s are meant to reflect the brilliancy of Christ. We are called to give the world a taste of his beauty, but never to claim it as our own. A Christian living in pride and conceit is like the moon boasting in the light it gives to the Earth. A Christian who worships himself and his religious zeal is like the the moon congratulating itself for accepting the sun’s generous rays.

I might say, “I would never boast about my works or sing praises to myself,” but how many times have I desired the praises of man for the things I did for God? Or how many times have I felt that I would be better for a particular area of ministry than the person who God chose? How many times have I felt I deserved anything other than the just punishment for my sins? All too often the ugly, dark moon tries to sell itself as the beautiful, light giving sun rather than bowing before it and pleading with others to do the same.

My thoughts then moved to the times when the moon experiences eclipse. This, of course, is when the earth comes exactly between the sun and moon, hiding it in its shadow. It makes me think about how the world can stamp out our light if we are not careful; how the more we look like the world, the more we think like the world, the more we love the things of the world, the less we shine like Christ. When we allow the world to come between us and our King our testimony for him is hidden and our light becomes very, very dim, almost unrecognizable. Sin is alluring and addictive. For every inch you give it, it will dull your likeness to the Son. I don’t want to be lost in the shadow of the world; I want to be lost in the brilliancy of God.

In the same way, we can come between the world and Christ (creating a solar eclipse) through our sinful, prideful, and selfish actions. The world needs to see the Son, not us, but when we hurt others and neglect the week we take the focus off of the Savior and put it on our own sinful lives. The world looks at us and says, “If this is what God is like, I don’t want to have anything to do with him.” When people see me, I want them to see Jesus, not a “religion” or a political position or a social class. I want to be willing to give up all my rights and desires in order to make the image of Christ clearer in me.

I also thought about how before you know the Lord you have no hope of ever being anything other than ugly and dark. You are constantly stuck in the shadow of the world, following its course, and completely content in it. You never know the warmth and beauty that the Son has to offer, and it isn’t until his rays touch your cold skin that you begin to see what life truly is. It isn’t until he pulls you from the shadows that you begin to sense your need for his life giving energy. Once you have tasted the goodness of the Lord the world’s offerings lose their luster. Suddenly your life becomes full of joy and hope; it is changed forever because the Light shines in you.

Yes, when I think about the moon a lot comes to mind, but really what comes to mind the most is the sun. That is how I want it to be for others: when they think about me I want them to think about Christ. Please take a moment to read these passages and have your heart encouraged.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. -Isaiah 9:10

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,[1] are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
[1]Or reflecting the glory of the Lord -2 Corinthians 3:18

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. -2 Corinthians 4:4

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. -Matthew 5:16

I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. -John 12:46

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. -2 Corinthians 4:6

that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, Philippians 2:15

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? -2 Corinthians 6:14

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. -Ephesians 6:2

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. -1 Peter 2:9

If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. -1 John 1:6

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. -Matthew 13:43

And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. -Revelation 21:23

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