Blood Moons, the SuperMoon, signs in the heavens … I don’t know about all the prophetic insights some folks see in these things. (After all, I have already lived through the end of the world several times – the comet Kohoutek, Y2K, 99 reasons the Lord will return in 1999, the alignment of the planets in 1982 and again in 2000, end of the Mayan Calendar December 21, 2012 and a few others.) I have no idea what the cosmic meaning of a SuperMoon is, I just try to live every day ready for his return.

But, I do know the SuperMoon is caused by the moon being closer than normal to the earth and I saw a message in that.

You already know how this works. The moon does not generate light, it merely reflects the light of the sun. When the earth is between the sun and the moon the earth’s shadow keeps us from seeing the moon. The closer the moon is to the earth the brighter the light reflected back to earth. So here is the message I see the SuperMoon has for us.

1. The moon does not create light, it merely reflects the light of the sun.

As “the light of the world” I don’t generate the light but I am called to reflect the light of the Son to the world. I am called to reflect His hope and help into dark situations. I don’t have to have all the answers or even understand all the questions. I just need to let His light shine through me to those who are lost in darkness.

2. When the earth gets between the moon and the sun the moon becomes dark.

If I am to reflect the light of Jesus to the world I must make sure the world does not get between me and the Lord. When I am preoccupied with the things of this earth, the cares of the world, then the light of Christ will be obscured. I must keep a clear path between me and Him or I will have no light to share.

3. The moon shines brightest when it is closer to the earth.

Throughout history Christians have tried the monastery route – isolate ourselves from the world, build walls to keep the world out. Jesus did not live that way. He lived in the down and dirty of daily life – right smack in the middle of it. One reason God allows Christians to experience many of the same heartaches and struggles as non-believers is so the world can see in us there is another way to deal with fear, loss, grief, heartache, etc.

4. The moon can come close to the earth but will never be part of the earth.

One reason Christians have tried to remain aloof from the world is to keep our light alive. But this moon shows us that as long as there is a straight shot between the sun and the moon, the moon can come very close to the earth and not become part of the earth. We are in this world but not to be a part of this world. I do not have to withdraw from the world to remain distinct from it. The moon remains the moon no matter how close or how far it is from the world. But it provides more light to the world when it moves in close.

5. The moon and the stars can enable us to find our way through the dark of night.

As one who lights the darkness of this world I have a calling and purpose to help those who are lost navigate the darkness and find their way into the light.

Notice how God told Abraham his descendants would be as numerous as the sand and the stars. (Genesis 22:17) The sand speaks of his natural earthly children – the Jewish nation. The stars speak of heavenly children – the church – those who are descendants of Abraham because of the work of Heaven.

So the SuperMoon is reminding me that I shine brightest when I draw close to those in the world without allowing the things of this world to get between me and God. I am not called to somehow generate light in my own effort but simply to remain connected with Him and reflect His light, His nature, His character, His love to those bound in darkness.

Thanks, SuperMoon, for being a billboard in the sky to remind me of my calling and purpose here on this earth.
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Philippians 2:15
… that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.

Ephesians 5:8
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.

Matthew 5:14-16
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.