We Might Not Be Suns, But We Can Be Moons

If you haven’t noticed the visual wonders all around us, you haven’t been looking. Because everywhere we look it seems there’s something else at which to marvel. From region to region, state to state, city to city, there are always spectacular places to visit, incredible vistas to enjoy.

The earth is filled with natural wonders, and I’ve had the opportunity to see some of them in person. The Grand Canyon stands out in my mind, along with the Rocky Mountains, beaches on both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, the tulip fields of Holland, and the rolling hills of the Tuscany region of Italy.

 

It’s nice being able to travel and ‘see the sights,’ but to enjoy wonders of our universe we need look no farther than up. The countless stars in the sky boggle the imagination. For us they are beyond numbering, but Psalm 147:4 tells us God does: “He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.” The wonders of creation are all around us – and just over our heads.

 

One of those stars, the sun at the center of our own solar system, has enough splendor of its own. To me, there’s nothing more spectacular than a sunset or a glorious sunrise. Then there’s the moon, the earth’s satellite which has fascinated humankind through the centuries. Men have walked on the moon, but it’s still filled with mystery. Its phases, eclipses, nights when it seems larger and more brilliant than others. I wonder if we appreciate enough the grandeur on display in the sky above us.

 

In thinking about stars, our sun, and the moon, I’m reminded of exhortations we find in the Scriptures for all of God’s children. Did you know that to the unbelieving world around us we’re to shine like stars?

 

In the Old Testament book of Daniel, in a description of events concerning the end of times, it says, “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever” (Daniel 12:3).

 

This is not the only place where followers of Christ are described in this way. Writing to believers in ancient Philippi, the apostle Paul encouraged their faithfulness “so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved, generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life…” (Philippians 2;15-16).

 

Reading these passages, it’s important to recognize we’re not told to be stars but to be like stars. There’s a great difference. The stars – our sun being one of them – generate their own light. The moon, however, does not. It merely reflects the light of the sun.

 

In a similar yet far more profound way, as we go about our daily lives – at work, at school, in our neighborhoods, as we travel – we’re to be similar to the moon, reflecting the light of One who said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12, 9:5).

 

Because of this, Jesus also said, “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. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

 

As we spend time with Christ in reading and studying the Word of God, praying and seeking to abide in Him (John 15:7) so that we increasingly come to know Him and not just know about Him, His light will shine increasingly in us and through us, bringing much needed light to an ever-darkening world.

 

Has anyone ever asked you, “What’s different about you?” or commented, “I’ve noticed something different about you”? Could it be that without realizing it, they’re seeing the light of Christ beaming through you? If not, pray and ask the Lord that it will be so. That’s what He desires of us.