At approximately 2:24 this afternoon in central Indiana, the moon will block about 90% of the sun. Experts caution us to not look up without the protective solar eclipse glasses labeled ISO 12312-2 (aas.org).
In thinking about this eclipse, I remember where Al and I were four years ago this month. August 2013 was a pivotal month in our lives because Al retired and then we traveled to Israel to visit our daughter, who was attending graduate school in Jerusalem. It was there we heard her casually mention a guy, just a friend who loved missions. That guy 13 months later would be welcomed into our family as a beloved son-in-law.
God has blessed us beyond measure since that trip with not only a godly son-in-law, but the kindest, most beautiful daughter-in-law God could have given us and the cutest granddaughter ever. We are beyond-words thankful for his provision and kindness. But today we look up in awe, using those protective glasses, at his glory displayed in the heavens, which reminds me of another time God’s glory appeared.
During the trip we visited the biblical botanical gardens located near the Israel Museum. My writing/gardening friend Janet Hommel Mangas had suggested we photograph some of those plants. In their vast array was the Holy Bramble, the “burning bush” God used to display his glory as recorded in Exodus 3:
There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.”
When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from with the bush. “Moses, Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.”
“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. . .” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. Exodus 3: 2-5, 6b, New International Version, 1973
Unless you have protective glasses this afternoon, don’t look up at the solar eclipse, but do know you are in the presence of a holy god who created the heavens and the earth. In awe, worship him wholeheartedly!
Thank you for reading.
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