The Great Night Reflector

When God created this world, He gave us a burning ball of fire to light up the day. What He gave to illumine the night, however, was just a big ball of rock and dust that had no light of its own—the moon. But this seemingly insufficient sphere was given the task of lighting up the night sky. How? By reflecting the light of the sun. Next to the sun, the little light that the moon reflects is hardly noticed, but wait until darkness settles in, and its light becomes bright and clear. 

As I’ve spent time looking up at the moon in the dark night sky, God has taught me some important lessons about the Christian journey.   

We too have been called, not to shine with light of our own, but, just like the moon, to reflect light. That light is Jesus—“the Light of the world.” John 8:12. In our natural hearts, we don’t have the love, the mercy, and the purity that Jesus has, but just like the moon reflects the light of the sun as long as nothing comes between them, we can reflect the character of Jesus when there is nothing between Him and us. 

Another lesson that has become significant to me is that the moon doesn’t stop reflecting light just because we can’t see the light. When there is a new moon, we don’t see very much light reflecting off the moon, but if we could go out into space, we would see that the moon is reflecting just as much light as when there is a full moon. Similarly, God asks us to honor Him in everything and at all times, regardless of whether others are watching. First Corinthians 10:31 says, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

Just like the moon shines most clearly at night, our light is most needed in the darkness. A couple thousand years ago, Jesus lived and walked in this world, and it wasn’t long before nearly everyone had heard about Him; but we now live in a world where many people have no idea who He really is. It is now that our light is most needed! The people around us can’t see Jesus, but if they see His love, peace, and joy reflected in our lives, it may be just what they need to help them find Jesus for themselves. 

Let’s take time to learn about Jesus so that we can be more like Him. Then, as we go about our daily lives, we can be strengthened by the peace and joy that He gives, and the people around us can be blessed by His love being reflected in our lives.