by Victoria Heinecke

God’s light shines when we turn towards him.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“By day the Lord directs his love,
    at night his song is with me—
    a prayer to the God of my life.”
Psalm 42:8 New International Version (NIV)

Over the past year, I’ve developed an awareness of the moon as a marker for the passage of time. In Colorado Springs, we live on the west edge of the plains, and we are regularly treated to the sight of a gigantic full moon as it rises over the horizon in the evening. It appears to be much larger and closer than it actually is, and it is a spectacular view every time it happens.

I see the moon on many early mornings on the way to work. Sometimes it’s in the east, and sometimes it is setting in the west over Pikes Peak as the sun begins another day. Its light waxes and wanes in a rhythm, growing brighter as its one side turns towards the sun.  At its brightest, we can see the image of a face in the craters and valleys, often called “the man in the moon.”

I see God’s hand in the dance between our moon and the sun.

The moon’s rotation and orbit is so perfect that we only see one side of its surface from the earth. Yet, we see it appear to grow brighter as its one side turns towards the sun. The moon cannot create its own light; rather, it reflects the sun’s light so we can see it.

In our lives, God’s presence in us radiates as we turn our faces towards him. When we turn our faces away from God, his hand in our lives becomes less evident.

As humans, we cannot be a full moon every day. The trials and challenges of life can bear on us until it feels as if the light is almost out. However, as long as there is hope, even a sliver of light can slice the darkness and shine bright.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
John 1:8 NIV

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us remember that our light shines, no matter how great (or how little) it appears.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado