Dear Cobham Park Church Family,
Over a year ago, I began seriously planning to see last month’s total eclipse of the sun. I knew it might be my last shot, since it will be 2044 before another one will be visible in the contiguous United States. In a total solar eclipse, the sun is completely obscured by the moon (astronomers call this “totality”). I researched where the April 8th eclipse would be visible, and decided to rent a house for the occasion in Bellefontaine, Ohio. I purchased solar binoculars, eclipse glasses, and special equipment for my telescope. In the months that followed, I continued to think a great deal about the trip and work out its many details. Finally, on April 6th, five family members joined me for an epic road-trip; we were committed “eclipse-chasers”!
There were numerous weather forecast scares, but the skies cleared on April 8th. From a beautiful hilltop overlooking Ohio farm country, we watched the eclipse begin. The moon gradually gobbled up the sun’s face and daylight dimmed. Birds began to sing. Dogs barked in the distance and a rooster crowed. A chilly breeze began to blow. As the landscape slipped into an eerie twilight, Jupiter and Venus could be seen shining on either side of the sun. The sun’s wispy white corona surrounded the black hole of the moon’s shadow. Hot-pink solar prominences gleamed here and there at the edge of the solar disc.
Then, after four minutes of darkness, bam! A brilliant flash of white light startled us with the realization that totality was over. The sun was emerging from behind the moon. Light and heat grew until the afternoon was bright and warm again.
As I reflect on this experience, I see how the eclipse occupied my thoughts for many months. I gladly invested my time, energy, and money to prepare for it. And I wanted to make sure that others could experience this once-in-a-lifetime event with me. While I don’t think this was wrong, I wish that I always concentrated in the same way on the things of God! Sadly, we all tend to focus on hobbies, possessions, and countless trivialities instead of what matters most. That is why our Lord tells us, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33, ESV).” Yes, we often work hard for experiences that we can only briefly enjoy—while neglecting to prepare for eternity’s wonderful rewards! Would you be ready if God met you now? “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect (Matthew 24:44, ESV).” Even if you’ve already given yourself to Jesus, are you making sure that others will also experience His wonderful life?
I invite you to join me on the epic journey of a lifetime: let’s be “Jesus-chasers” together! For just over four minutes, I enjoyed the total eclipse of the sun. But, “When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we first begun!”*
In His Love,
Pastor Keith
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*John P. Rees’ 5th verse of “Amazing Grace”
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