THE ECLIPSE OF LIFE

“For our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. While we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” 2 Corinthians 4.17-18KJV


In understanding the faith process and how vital it is in our lives, (it is our power line to God) I came to fully appreciate this truth that was made clearer to me in the interesting subject of the Eclipse. So get ready for some physical and spiritual geography. There are two types of eclipse – the eclipse of the sun and the eclipse of the moon. But both as Webster dictionary defines it as ‘ a total or partial cutting off of light received from a celestial body, due to another celestial body moving into an intercepting position.


Now, an eclipse of the moon occurs when the earth is between the moon and the sun and depriving the moon of the sun’s light. So, with a little help from Google (learning has become much easier from our fingertip) I became a student of geography on the subject.The moon is dark because it has no light and shines by the reflection of the sun on its surface (so if you once thought that the moon had light when viewing at night, you have been corrected).But the more intriguing and relevant eclipse to our life, is the total eclipse of the sun. However, there is a partial and total eclipse. You may have been fortunate to see it. I have experienced both. It is a mysterious yet beautiful encounter.


In the total eclipse, the moon’s inner and darker shadow sweeps across the earth’s surface causing total darkness for countries in the region of the eclipse. This covers only a 1% of the earth surface. Now, the amazing part, is that the total darkness is brief and rarely lasts for a few minutes; nevertheless, it is considered one of the most awe inspiring spectacles in all nature as the sun’s bright face is replaced by the black disk of the moon.


Imagine this display of the eclipse- a clear sky and then suddenly a vision of darkness when the moon begins its movement towards the sun and....... pitch darkness when the moon covers the surface of the sun for a brief moment. Everything seems to stand still. Suddenly light reappears and the sky is clear once again when the moon has passed. Such is the similarity to the eclipse of life.


This scenario plays out at certain periods of our lives and the difference may the degree of a partial or total eclipse. The two key objects in the eclipse are the moon which is dark and the sun which in contrast is light. Yet at certain times of the year, both interact to bring about one of the beautiful scenes of nature on the earth. Have you ever watched or read about the preparations for an eclipse? It is a frenzied one that involves everyone from the scientific community to the people on the street. There is an excitement that something beautiful is about to take place. Yet this is an event where darkness seems to have taken on a good form.


Ordinarily, we don’t celebrate darkness but this ‘darkness’ has given birth to a geographical wonder much loved. That is the lesson that we must imbibe. We go through times of dark experiences when everything seems to go wrong and we don’t think we can pull through.  We are facing challenges that are daunting and no clear solution in sight. Nowhere to turn and the world may suddenly become a lonely place to dwell. Your world is collapsing right in front of your eyes. Yes! I have my eclipse moments and so do all of us at various times. But take note of what the Bible says of such times of which, even nature is in agreement.


It is truly a momentary one regardless of how long it may last.

“For our momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour)is .ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory( beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease)”2 Corinthians 4.17, Amplified Bible


In other words, no affliction if managed from the perspective of faith and the wisdom of God will break you. It will rather put you far beyond the challenge. But you must hang in there for that ‘moment’ with God, never giving up but holding up the hope of a resurrection. Like the eclipse, light will eventually break forth on the issue.

“So we have seen and proved that what the prophets said came true. You will do well to pay close attention to everything they have written, for like lights shining into dark corners, their words help us understand many things that otherwise would be dark and difficult. But when you consider the wonderful truth of the prophet’s words, then the light will dawn in your souls and Christ the Morning Star will shine in your hearts” 2 Peter 1.19-20, Living Bible


The Word of God is the Light that breaks forth in the place of your eclipse. Jesus is the Word (John 1.1-4) and He is the Sun of Righteousness

“But to you who fear My Name, The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves.” Malachi4.2NKJV
When the word is made flesh in your life, the issues become clearer for healing has come.

“Then they cry to the Lord in their trouble and He delivers them out of their distresses. He sends forth His word and heals them and rescues them from the pit and destruction” Psalm 107.19-20, Amplified Bible
Like the eclipse of the sun, these circumstances are not static (and shouldn’t be) but a movement towards light- triumph and victory; the cross leading to the resurrection. A word of advice on this episode of life.

“Do not let this happy trust in the Lord die away, no matter what happens. Remember your reward! You need o keep on patiently doing God’s will if you want Him to do for you all that he has promised. His coming will not be delayed much longer. And those whose faith has made them good in God’s sight must live by faith, trusting him in everything. Otherwise, if they shrink back, god will have no pleasure in them”Hebrews10.35-38, Living Bible

Note that in the process of the eclipse, the sun is constant, resolute and fixed while the moon that is dark is orbiting towards the sun creating that brief period of complete darkness. Challenges are not fixed but come into our lives for a moment. It is how we handle them that makes that ‘moment’ have an experience of longevity or brief. Hear the counsel of Christ.

“I have told you these things so that in Me you may have (perfect) peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulations and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer (take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted)! For I have overcome the world. (I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you” John 16.33, Amplified Bible


We will always have the natural eclipse as long as the earth is in place. So also the eclipse of life. Therefore, in all of these, patience is a virtue to keep you grounded, focused and unshaken just like both the Sun of Righteousness and the sun in the universe.

Have a momentous eclipse whichever life or nature brings your way.