Last week there was a full ‘Worm Moon’ reflecting the sun’s brilliance. Native Americans named this March moon because soil temperatures start to increase and earthworms come to the surface. Rising soil temperatures are a reflection of the sun crossing the equator and heating up the northern hemisphere. EVERYTHING is in full reflection right now so look and listen closely.
By definition a reflection is ‘the production of an image as if by a mirror’. In particular, the return of light and sound waves from a surface reflect an image to be seen and heard. Therefore, what we SAY and DO is a reflection of who and what we are. The past year it’s common to hear the question, ‘What’s going on in Georgia?’ The answer is, Georgia is casting a reflection of it’s people and our nation…and the world is watching!
When the full moon appears brighter, it is because there are less shadows cast by objects on the moon and we see a more pure reflection of the sun. To get the best reflection of a thing there needs to be a direct, full view with no shadows. Native Americans looked into the water to see their reflection and learn what they looked like. The writer of Proverbs said, ‘As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.’ Proverbs 27:19. So much attention is being put on the color of our skin, but we can more easily see the reflection of our hearts.
The State of Georgia’s legislators recently passed a bill reflecting it’s people and their desires regarding election laws and the representation of the people. Like the Worm Moon, if you didn’t actually look at it to see for yourself, you had to trust what someone else said. If you read the bill, like looking at the Moon, you can make up your own mind. If you listen to what others say, you may hear a reflection of their HEARTS and not the truth.
Georgia is also in full reflection because of sports. One of the greatest things I USED to enjoy about sports was they afforded me the opportunity to disengage with the distractions and issues in the world and escape into the sport. I loved watching athletes compete in a game and forgetting about the troubles, disagreements and problems between other people. Major League Baseball (MLB) has ruined that and decided to reflect politics not the sport. MLB is OK with games and practices in Cuba, but requiring a picture ID to vote in Georgia gets the All-Star game taken away? Sorry guys…Bye-bye baseball…and my Braves.
A full moon reflects the sun so brightly because it is closer to the sun and the entire lunar surface is reflecting. There is also a phenomena known as an ‘opposition surge’ that gives it such brightness. Opposition surge (sounds like Democrat and Republican political theater in November) is when an object with many rough surfaces is illuminated from directly behind a viewer and gives greater clarity because of a lack of shadows. People are similar to celestial objects with rough surfaces. Both of us have been impacted by things that mark us with scars and pains. Georgia and the world is currently experiencing a prolonged opposition surge. If you have the eyes to look and see (and read) for yourself, you will get an accurate reflection. If you only listen to the talking heads, you will get a poor reflection.
A poor reflection results in poor knowledge and understanding. The Bible teaches us that while on earth there is an enemy of God that can keep us from seeing and knowing Him and TRUTH clearly. ‘For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.’ 1 Corinthians 13:12. To see a clear reflection of what’s going on these days we need God’s wisdom and discernment. We need the Holy Spirit and the WORD of God, not talking heads.
So, why and how does God help us see and know everything more clearly? Shadows distort a reflection and therefore our understanding and knowledge of a thing. The more shade is thrown on an object the more shadows and the more difficult it is to see and hear. The more shadows, the greater chance that truth shifts and changes and becomes ‘my’ truth and ‘your’ truth. Whereas God has no shadow…’Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.’ James 1:17. The Bible is absolute truth.
A lot of what we are seeing and hearing is a prelude for ‘woke’ culture to take on God. We are rapidly heading towards a time when people will consider God’s view (The Bible) on a subject to be a far-right religious viewpoint and not the objective truth that it is. Traditional marriage and traditional sexes are the current low hanging fruit. Biblical views will be targeted as exclusive, not inclusive…intolerant not tolerant. We may only be in the first few innings of this game so it’s incumbent for Christians to stand up and stand proud. ‘Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil.’ Romans 14:16.
So, what does this practically mean for Christ followers? We need to fully reflect Him like the full moon reflects the sun. You might think a half moon is half as bright as a full moon but that is far from the truth. A full moon is 6 TIMES brighter than a half moon! If we reflect half of what we believe the world will see a poor reflection of the love, mercy and grace of God. They will also be unprepared to see the full reflection of His power and wrath. Believers and the Church need to reflect the entirety of Christ.
To see and hear the reflection of God on a daily basis, watch the weather (previous blog, Change In The Weather). He is also reflected through other Christ followers, not necessarily the talking heads on TV. His Holy Spirit is available to everyone and “‘he will guide you into all truth…and he will tell you what is yet to come.'” John 16:13. Learn to discern by reading the Bible.
On the other hand, Charles Barkley nailed it during the Final 4 over the weekend. If we follow our politicians, they seem to only be reflecting selfish desires and leading us to anger, hatred and disunity. I try to forget the reflections of politics and politicians and focus on the full reflection of God wherever I see it. I hope and pray others see HIM reflected in my words and actions and not only the scars of my life. There are too many days I’m more like a crescent moon and not a full moon for Him. Forgive me when I don’t reflect Him more.
Do I, do we, fully reflect what is in our hearts or have the scars of the past year(s) left us with too many shadows? Can we muster an opposition surge to reflect Him every day like the moon does every 29 days?!! I want to shine brilliantly every day so my friends and the world KNOW whats going on in Georgia…and in my heart. Join me in the daily challenge of making sure we are in full reflection of our hearts and nothing else.
This is THE great full reflective challenge…’Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.’ Philippians 2:3-4.