The first suggestion is more of a rule than a suggestion. Rule one is one that I hope everyone knows. Don’t look directly at the sun! It’ll burn your retina and cause short-term and potentially long-term eye problems. Don’t do it. Also, make sure that children around you are not staring directly at the eclipse as well.
My second suggestion is to pay attention. You have to be awake and semi-prepared to see the eclipse. An old cereal box and some aluminum foil, a metal colander, or fancy eclipse watching glasses can all help you witness the spectacle first hand. But if you nap, or more likely becomes so consumed by the business of a normal Monday that you don’t go outside, you’ll miss it.
A third suggestion is to take a moment a to be mindful of the many wonders of orbital mechanics of which we are often not aware or daily take for granted. We are blessed with an amazing universe. Take a moment to give thanks for it in all of it’s wonder. Maybe even read Psalm 8 if you have a moment to pause.
In our faith journey learning about prayer, some of these suggestions might apply as well. The first is more a rule than a suggestion. Focus on God. Failing to do so might cause short-term and potentially long-term problems for our soul. When we fail to focus on God, Christians lose their ability to have love and grace for all of creation and all the people in it. We become blinded by self-interests and tribalism. We become unable to view the needs for justice and healing of the nations. We forget God’s mandate to care for the widow, orphan, and stranger. We forget God’s just intention for the created order and the hope that indeed one day God’s kingdom may be made known on earth. So, don’t forget to focus on God and look around you to make sure that children around you are focussed on God as well. It is a learned trait, part of making disciples instead of church-goers.
In prayer, we might also want to pay attention. Not that we could miss the eclipse if we’re outside. Nope, when God chooses to get people’s attention in scripture, there is not doubt that he gets their attention whether they’re listening or not. But, how many daily blessings do we miss because we fail to take time to thank God for what is there all of the time. When we apply suggestions two and three to our prayer life, we pay attention to those closest around us and in our community. This is not simply superficial observation, but we seek out the systemic issues confronted and daily faced. And, with prayer, advocacy, and action we become a part of God’s love and grace in the world.
I hope the eclipse today blesses you and gives you a moment to reflect on the wondrous love and grace of God. And, I pray that that reflection deepens your love for those God loves and leads you to ministries of reconciliation and grace.
My second suggestion is to pay attention. You have to be awake and semi-prepared to see the eclipse. An old cereal box and some aluminum foil, a metal colander, or fancy eclipse watching glasses can all help you witness the spectacle first hand. But if you nap, or more likely becomes so consumed by the business of a normal Monday that you don’t go outside, you’ll miss it.
A third suggestion is to take a moment a to be mindful of the many wonders of orbital mechanics of which we are often not aware or daily take for granted. We are blessed with an amazing universe. Take a moment to give thanks for it in all of it’s wonder. Maybe even read Psalm 8 if you have a moment to pause.
In our faith journey learning about prayer, some of these suggestions might apply as well. The first is more a rule than a suggestion. Focus on God. Failing to do so might cause short-term and potentially long-term problems for our soul. When we fail to focus on God, Christians lose their ability to have love and grace for all of creation and all the people in it. We become blinded by self-interests and tribalism. We become unable to view the needs for justice and healing of the nations. We forget God’s mandate to care for the widow, orphan, and stranger. We forget God’s just intention for the created order and the hope that indeed one day God’s kingdom may be made known on earth. So, don’t forget to focus on God and look around you to make sure that children around you are focussed on God as well. It is a learned trait, part of making disciples instead of church-goers.
In prayer, we might also want to pay attention. Not that we could miss the eclipse if we’re outside. Nope, when God chooses to get people’s attention in scripture, there is not doubt that he gets their attention whether they’re listening or not. But, how many daily blessings do we miss because we fail to take time to thank God for what is there all of the time. When we apply suggestions two and three to our prayer life, we pay attention to those closest around us and in our community. This is not simply superficial observation, but we seek out the systemic issues confronted and daily faced. And, with prayer, advocacy, and action we become a part of God’s love and grace in the world.
I hope the eclipse today blesses you and gives you a moment to reflect on the wondrous love and grace of God. And, I pray that that reflection deepens your love for those God loves and leads you to ministries of reconciliation and grace.
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