On Monday, depending on where you were in the country, we all had the opportunity to experience varying degrees of the solar eclipse.  Living in Dallas, we only experienced about 70% coverage, but nonetheless, there were definitely effects.  Before I even went outside, I could see that it was getting darker in the house.  And then when I stepped outside, I was completely startled by the crescent shaped shadows all over the ground.  To be honest, it scared me because I had never seen anything like that before.  I stared at them for a few minutes, and I finally realized it was the sun.  That wasn’t it though because it was also hazy outside.  That made no sense to me because there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.  I’m pretty sure I remember reading somewhere on Facebook that it had something to do with the sun shining through and reflecting moon dust.  I’m not sure if that’s true or not, but I thought it was pretty cool.  So, once I collected myself and got into my car to go get my dad’s lunch, I noticed two sweet sights on my way to the store.  First I passed an elementary school and saw several classes outside with their special glasses on outside gazing at the sun.  At the other end of the spectrum, I drove by a retirement home, and there were multiple residents outside sitting in wheelchairs looking up at the spectacle with their glasses too.

Later that afternoon I even went as far as to do a tiny bit of research.  Here’s what I found out…

1. An eclipse takes place when one heavenly body such as a moon or planet moves into the shadow of another heavenly body (nasa.gov).
2. The first fact to understand about solar eclipses is that they occur because of a remarkable cosmic coincidence: the Sun is just about the same apparent size in our sky as the Moon. While the Sun is actually about 400 times larger in diameter than the Moon, the Moon is also about 400 times closer than the Sun. Therefore, the Sun and the Moon appear to be about the same size in our sky (greatamericaneclipse.com). (I highly suggest reading this again as it will become important information later on in the post!)
3. Some synonyms for eclipse include: concealment, darkening, decline, dimming, extinction, obliteration, shading, shrouding, veil, obscuration, and extinguishment (thesaurus.com).

Between my direct observations, watching the news, doing research, and looking at social media, I spent a good amount of time thinking about the eclipse, and it got me thinking that there’s more to this even beyond this heavenly display of God’s handiwork.

How many times do we let someone or something stand in the way of achieving our goals?  God has given us a vision, we’ve felt a tug on our heart, we’ve heard that small voice, and we allow it to be obscured or veiled by something.  Just like the “cosmic coincidence” that I referred to above, that thing or person appears so big, perhaps even as big as the God we proclaim to love and trust.  Notice that I said “appears”, because in all actuality, NOTHING is as big as our God.  The bible says…

• The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous to it, and they are safe (Proverbs 18:10).
• Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us (Ephesians 3:20).
• Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable (Isaiah 40:28).
• For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and does not take a bribe (Deuteronomy 10:17).
• For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment (Luke 1:37).

Obviously, I could go on and on, but the point is that the enormity of anything we face in comparison to God is truly only an optical illusion very much like the size of the moon in comparison to the sun.  Our circumstances are so close to us so they seem big, overwhelming, and impossible.  Because we can’t visually see God, our mind’s eye tells us that everything else is bigger.

I remember that before I moved back to Dallas I was so focused on work, finances, and a failing relationship

that my light was getting dim to the point that I couldn’t even see myself.  I was beyond exhausted, and I couldn’t even remember what I liked to do anymore.  I was so busy focusing on natural things, that everything had become hazy.  I was existing rather than living.

Consider looking at things with spiritual eyes.  Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a new perspective- a Godly perspective on your circumstances.  But once you have the knowledge and the wisdom, it is up to you not to allow anyone or anything to eclipse the life, destiny, and dreams God has for you.  Take a moment and ask yourself, “what do I allow to dim the vision that God has for me?”  Is it fear? Finances? Procrastination? Relationships? Comparison? People?

God is bigger than all of that.  Jesus defeated death, so surely He can handle whatever it is we’re going through.  Decide today that NOTHING will dim the light that God has given you.

DECLARE the following:

My God is greater, my God is stronger,

God you are higher than any other

My God is Healer,

Awesome in power my God