Life's Total Solar Eclipse🌑✍️

Today is the birthday of my daughter, a day that is most talked about in the news on radio or TV, and social media because of the celestial event that’s going to take place. The moon will cover the sun for four minutes and 27 seconds--double the time now than it did on August 21, 2017, when it only lasted two minutes.

Reflecting on the solar eclipse, I realized we too have the “moon” in our lives. I remember when my father, mother, brothers, and aunt left this world, I was very sad. Every loved one of mine who dies seems to take away a piece of me. Those were my downtimes. Meanwhile, a friend of mine who had been married for 10 years found out that her husband had been cheating on her all along, and she was devastated. Some of my friends have health issues, undergoing chemotherapy or dialysis, have had strokes or heart attacks and other ailments. Things like these make one's life gloomy, weighing heavily on our hearts and souls. These are the dark, negative, black shadows that afflict us, could be from the past or at present, the sunless angle of our being (wrong attitudes and destructive habits), which contributes to hopelessness or lack of interest in living--and these are what I consider to be the "moons" in our lives, which in one way or another, we possess or encountered. Just as the moon is part of the solar system, so is darkness an inevitable side of our existence because of the fallen world we live in. And we have no choice but to face this vital aspect of who we are. The question is, how do you handle your "moon?"

Thankfully, in a solar eclipse, the moon hides the sun for a while. It's just sad that in reality, some people allow their moon to overwhelm them for days, weeks, months, or even years. Instead of letting it go, they would rather embrace it. I wonder, what would be the effect if the moon covered the sun for several days?

“Pretty catastrophic. It would mean that the moon would have lost almost all its orbital velocity and would immediately fall toward Earth. Soon after, everyone dies, and the planet itself might not survive.”-Andre McLeish #Quora

On TV, I’ve heard a story of a mother who couldn't move on with her life after her son died. She was so filled with grief that she forgot to live for her other children. And in truth, some despite being alive, look dead (the “living dead” so to speak) because they prefer to remain in the dark or night rather than walk into the light. When everything is pitch black, one cannot see anything, thus, unable to move, they are stuck in the dark. Consequently, they miss out on wonderful possibilities that come their way and fail to appreciate the beauty around them and the goodness of others.

How about you? How long have you let the moon cover you?

Now here's the deal: even if the moon is black, it still serves a purpose by illuminating the night sky. Similarly, while the moon has brought us tears, despair, and disappointments, it also gives us courage, strength, and confidence to face the future. A storm gives way to a rainbow as they say. Therefore, no matter how many moons we have, how deep the darkness is, or how much negativity surrounds us, positivity can enter or permeate our lives because where darkness is, there is room for light.

Further, there are diamonds in the dark, we only have to identify them. Our family went through a trial when my husband lost his job due to the company's redundancy process. But I believe God has better plans for him. True enough. After a year of unemployment, he received a call from another agency offering him the same type of work with more decent pay and the chance for regularization. So, there is the hidden treasure in the dark: a better employer/company that God has in store for my husband. God be praised!

Each “moon or darkness” imparts a lesson to learn. During my husband’s unemployment, we completely relied on God for our daily needs. We realized that when all else is lost, God’s sustaining grace will see us through. So, the lesson of our "moon?" God sustains, God provides, nothing else, nothing more. Only God keeps us alive.

When you are on the night of your life, try not to cling to the moon too tight, for it will only dim your light, and before you know it, the dark or the moon has become your comfort zone and eventually your home. Instead, strive to mirror the sun not the other way around, where the moon dominates you. As Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14–16). So avoid lingering in the dark. Keep moving forward until you see the sun’s rays again. Just take the nuggets of wisdom the moon or the darkness has to offer for your own learning, personal growth, and development.

And, in your own solar eclipse, when the moon blocks your sun and you feel empty to the point where you can’t see a speck of hope, remember that you are not alone and will never be alone because the God of the Bible, the God of the Israelites who went with them in the wilderness for 40 years through a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, has promised you the same, that His presence will also be with you. Believe.

“Even if we walk through the darkest valley in the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me.--(Psalm 23:4)

And Jesus, our Lord, and Savior, If He is in You, you have the light that fills every nook and cranny of your being. You become His bearer of light, which turns you into a blessing to others rather than a burden. You are a comfort to the sorrowful, bringing rest to the restless, clarity to the confused, peace amid chaos, and hope to the hopeless. You bring the Sun to those imprisoned in the darkness of their moons. People are drawn to you, and you lead them to the glory of HIM, which not only gives light, but The Light Himself, Jesus Christ, The Son, and The Sun, and in Him, there is no darkness.--(1 John 1:5 / John 8:12)

“In the same way, shine your light before others so that they can see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”- (Matthew 5:16.)

Let's Pray:

Father God, we witnessed Your incredible hand of wonders during the solar eclipse as You made the moon pass between the sun and the earth. You are indeed Almighty, the evidence of Your power is everywhere. At times when our moon covers the sun and when we are enveloped in darkness, and we are worried and afraid, give us the resilience to battle in faith, knowing that You are with us. When negativity and black surround us, shine upon us so we can see the way. Lead us back to You, to the cross, to the path You have laid before us so we may journey this life fearlessly and victoriously. In Your name, Jesus, Amen.