Monday, August 21st, was a special day for many of us. It was the day of the eclipse. Many of you made special trips to put yourselves in the path of “totality” in order to experience fully a total eclipse. I’m sure you would say you enjoyed it.
For those of us who stayed home, like my family and I, it still was a special experience. Using our special glasses for viewing, Connie and I watched as the moon more and more obscured the sun. Here in Warner Robins, we were in 90+ percent coverage. There was dusk like quality to what was seen but for the amount of the sun that was covered, I was surprised by how much light remained. I was amazed in a fresh way at just how powerful the sun is.
We are 93 million miles away from the sun. It generates enormous light and heat for us in just the right proportions. If our planet were a little closer or even just a little farther, life couldn’t exist on the earth. Our infinitely wise Creator knew what He was doing.
The eclipse was a great reminder for us of God’s care for His creation. It was a reminder of Genesis 1:16-18: And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.
Ultimately it was a reminder of what theologians call His “common grace.” It is the grace all humanity experiences through God’s providential care of the world. For those of us who know and trust Christ alone for salvation, we have come to know his special or saving grace. Seeing God’s common grace should make us grateful for it and be amazed at His special grace toward us who don’t deserve it.
There’s a lot more, I’m sure, to be learned from an eclipse. God’s fingerprints in creation have much to teach us about His wisdom, creativity, and power. It’s a truly amazing world He has made for us to live in and enjoy.