The Moon Never Complains

In January, a book captured my attention as I was killing time inside a bookstore. I bought the book. It's Max Lucado's It's Not About Me.

I cannot forget how Chapter One used the moon to illustrate the message of the book.

Max Lucado writes,

The moon models our role.

Image source: http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/0709/saguaroMoon_seip.jpg

What does the moon do? She generates no light. Apart from the sun, the moon is nothing more than a pitch-black, pockmarked rock. But properly positioned, the moon beams. The moon reflects the greater light.

And she's happy to do so! You never hear the moon complaining. The moon is at peace in her place. And because she is, soft light touches a dark earth. (Lucado, It's Not About Me, page 18)

We are like the moon. We generate no light. Apart from the Source of everything, we are nothing. When we allow the Source, God, to position us, we shine. We reflect His light.

I pray that like the moon, I'll be happy with that role. No complaining. :)

Praying with Moses

April 8, 2013
11:45pm

Have you ever experienced receiving the same encouraging words from different people just when you needed to be encouraged?

This morning I opened my devotional and reflected on drawing near to God. Perfect. This is what I really need, I told myself. The main Bible verse was James 4:8. But what struck me most was the last sentence. Pray with Moses, "Show me Your glory." This led me to reading Exodus 33. God gave Moses a task, a big task. So big the task was that he told God, "If Your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here." Moses longed for God's presence. I ended my quiet time praying with Moses, "show me Your glory."

While eating breakfast, I was browsing the internet. I saw a post, got interested, and clicked the link. I was redirected to a website, an online devotional. The post for today is about passion. I read these words: Then Moses said to him, "If Your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here." The devotional talked about Moses' passion for God's presence. He cannot do the task assigned of him without God going with him.

Given bigger responsibilities, I am praying with Moses. Show me Your glory, Lord. If your presence does not go with me, do not send me up from here (to there).