The Eclipses of 2017 and 1918

As I read through an old journal, I noticed entries about the eclipse that happened in August 2017. 

People were excited, giddy, and somewhat emotional. Others said that seeing the eclipse was a life-changing event. Articles about the impending eclipse peppered the news.

Before then, the most recent total eclipse visible in the continental United States had been in 1918. The moon slowly slid herself between the earth and the sun and covered a portion of the sun for most to see. Yet, others were plunged into complete darkness.

My Eclipse

I thought about another eclipse I had experienced–a time of darkness of my own making. Only God could help me conquer the idols I had allowed into my life.

The Eclipse at Calvary

Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’” Having said this, He breathed His last.

~Luke 23:44-46 NKJV

I thought about the most life-changing eclipse. How must it have felt for those observing the eclipse that occurred at Christ’s crucifixion? Scripture says the world was plunged into darkness for three hours at midday. Such an experience would have produced many emotions: terror, dread, awe, and wonder. 

Doubtlessly, for many, their emotional response was accompanied by a sobering realization of who Jesus was. 

This darkness was documented in three of the four gospels and also by the historians Thallus, Phlegon, and Africanus. Something had come between the earth and the sun that prevented the sunlight from touching the earth.

Eclipses of the Heart

Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. 

Exodus 20:3 KJV

But God also said we should not put anything between Him and us. We must not idolize anything or anyone. Still, for the longest time, I didn’t see myself as being idolatrous.

When I was a child and considered this verse, I thought, I am fine. I have never worshipped a golden calf. I didn’t look at that candy bar that I ran to for self-medication. When I gossiped on the phone or bought the latest gadget, I didn’t consider this as idolatry. But time and again, I turned to those gods for comfort. All the while, God wanted to be my God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3), but I prevented Him.

Heart Confession

I confess–I was and am an idolater. Each time I turn to things or people for comfort instead of God, I am an idolater. 

Just as with an eclipse, every time I allow something else to come between God and me, I experience a personal eclipse. Part of my life is plunged into darkness. Then I wonder why I can’t hear from God and don’t sense His presence. 

While nothing can separate us from God’s love, idolatry can prevent us from feeling His warmth and seeing His light. Sometimes, the Lord is silent, but the silence is unrelated to our idolatry. However, many times the silence is because of our own doing. We have chosen to put something between us and God.

Turn Around

If you have lost sight of God or run to someone else for comfort, these things or people may be an idol—an eclipsing moon—that stands between us and God, preventing us from sensing His presence or hearing His voice. God will remove what has gotten in the way of His light if we ask. These idols will dim our ability to promote the light of Christ in our world. They may fade brilliant hues to shades of grey and reduce and contort our view of God.

In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

~John 1:4-5 NIV

Just as the sun hidden behind the moon produces a temporary eclipse, so God’s light has not been extinguished—only hidden from our view. But even the darkness hides nothing from the Lord. He sees us still.

Many of my idols I recognize, but others I don’t. We are wise to ask God to reveal and remove these idols. Only by doing so can God’s light shine on all our dark places. Ask Him to shine on and within you.

What idols–eclipses of the heart–do you need to ask God to remove?

Father God, let there be nothing remaining between us but love. Expose my idols–my eclipses of the heart. Work in and through me to remove them by the power of Your Spirit. Let there be light. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2024: Eclipse: Julie Souza Bradley Lilly: All Rights Reserved