Eclipse Theology

Hang with me for a moment. One of my favorite children's books comes to mind tonight with the impending total eclipse set to cross North America tomorrow. I've gotten news updates all day from Eclipseville aka Hopkinsville KY (the home of the “point of greatest eclipse” where the shadow is of the moon is the most direct based on axes PLUS longest totality) about the parties, events, spectators and more rolling into the hot spot city destined to be the best viewing spot. Friends in Seattle are traveling south to Oregon to catch a glimpse of totality too. Wes is makinEclipse cereal box viewer  and getting slightly frustrated with all my questions about the eclipse and what it will be like and why I can't look at it! 

g the kids a a

But all I can think about is the book "Fool Moon Rising" by Kristi and T. Lively Fluharty.

Read the words of the book below:

Dear God,

I heard a cosmic story. And wondered if it’s true. The Moon was stealing glory And this is what he’d do. 

He bragged each night that his great might Could make the darkness flee. And like a kite he scaled the heights And said, “Hey look at me!” 

The pompous moon would only croon The songs that praised his name. He hoped that soon the cosmic tunes Would bring him greater fame.

It’s really strange but he could change His shape throughout the year. His face would change, then rearrange And sometimes . . . disappear.

He loved the thought that astronauts Had danced across his face. And cosmonauts and monkeynauts Would visit him in space.

 He bragged that he could cause the sea To rise and swell each day. Then all could see how mightily He’d pull the waves away.

 He’d boast away and loved to say, “I am the greatest light!” Until one day a piercing ray Showed him a shocking sight.

 He saw his pride and then he cried For all that he had done. For he had lied when he denied His light came from the Sun.

 So now each night a new delight Is what he loves the most. Reflecting light with all his might, The Sun is now his boast! 

O God I pray for grace each day To find the joy that’s true, In all my days and all my ways In making much of YOU! 

This book does an amazing job of using the moon as a metaphor for us in our pride and self-sufficiency. Oh how we try to take glory for things that God has done and given. But just like the moon we too are dark and the only light we can emit is that which reflects the sun or God. 

Then you have the eclipse! This rare moment in history where the moon perfectly aligns over the Sun from the viewpoint of earth. Do you see? What symbolism of the crucifixion. Though eclipses have happened before, and the Cross was only needed once, this is like it. God became dark for our sake. The sun was dimmed but even in totality you still see its rays. Jesus put on our darkness so that we might have light. And after the resurrection ( the eclipse is over) we will continue to pass through this life (or orbit around the world). While we are on earth we will fight the fight against darkness. The moon will too, held in orbit to the world by gravity. Our gravity is spiritual warfare. But just as the moon reflects the sun, we will be able to reflect God's goodness until we are called home or Jesus comes again. We will have hope because "The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it" John 1:5.