I was standing in a coffeehouse, talking to a friend one night in January.  As we talked, my eyes gazed toward the moon, which was only a sliver in the sky and became even smaller as I was watching, nearly fully eclipsing before gradually growing in size again, all within a minute of time. 

As I stood there,  just as suddenly as I had seen the eclipse, I felt God give me a revelation of understanding about how the moon was like our relationship with the world and with God, and it started working to heal my heart.

Have you ever felt like there were times in your life where you were more effective for God?  Or where there were times that your God-given gifts shone more than they are right now?  Have you been wondering: Why am I ineffective?  Why am I called to this time where I look useless in the eyes of others? If you are in that season, let this minister to your heart.

We are like the moon, getting our light from our reflection of God’s light.  As God made us in His image and gave us giftings, we reflect his glory and honor Him.  The moon is always reflecting the sun’s light.  The sun can always “see” the moon in its full reflection because the light side is always facing the sun.  There is never a time in our lives of obedience to Him, where we are not in full glory in His eyes.

From the earth, however, we only see a part of the glory of the moon.  Sometimes it is in different stages where we can see more of it, and sometimes we see almost nothing, but it is somewhere always reflecting the same amount of sunlight.  Our view of the moon from the earth is like what we as humans see of each other’s “glory” as a reflection of the LORD.  Sometimes we will look glorious in each other’s eyes, and sometimes we will wonder why we or someone else do not look particularly “brilliant” even though we are being faithful to serve God.

Some places God has called me to serve Him are naturally easy, and I shine when I am in them.  Some, I feel faithful by serving in, but it is difficult and calls for self-sacrifice, and others may wonder what on earth I am doing with my life.  The latter times are new moon times, when only the Lord really sees us in our full obedience to Him, reflecting Him, oh so well.

Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me…”

Genesis 16:13 NLT

Father, let me be content in all seasons, knowing that you see what is inside of me in all times. We do not have to be seen by others to be pleasing to you. May we always reflect the light of Jesus and let my life be beautiful in your sight. Amen

First published to Awakening My Spirit blog April 17, 2009. Maureen Silveyra. All rights reserved.