We were meant to be the moon.

The sun blazes. Its impact is seen and felt every day. Even on a cloudy day it gives light and warmth. But the sun is burning out. One day it will collapse upon itself and become a black hole.

I tried to be the sun once; it nearly killed me. I was a “good christian.” Not a fake christian, either; a true believer. My intentions were as right as they could be. In trying to be the sun (all things to all people) I burned out, collapsed upon myself and tried to draw others into the density. All because I was not meant to be the sun. Neither are you.

We were meant to be the moon.

As I child, my mother explained to me the face of the man-in-the-moon. She made the moon friendly and comforting – always there in the dark if I needed a light to see by. As I grew older, I discovered that the moon moves in cycles. While it always reflects the sun’s light, I can’t always see it. I also learned there really isn’t a man-in-the-moon.

The moon is a rock. Just a holey, dusty rock. Nothing magical or supernatural. Yet the moon’s impact on the earth is profound. The moon is vital to earth’s life. Her orbit, gravity, tidal patterns…even her weather depends on the moon’s presence. In the dark night, if we can find the moon, we can find our way.

Yet all the moon does is keep its face turned toward the sun, reflecting its light and completing its appointed rounds as determined by its Creator.

We are meant to be the moon.

We are meant to be steadfast and solid – just-a-rock – affecting our world simply by our presence. We may not see the “tide” turn or the “orbits” continue on the correct path, but our presence is an influence by those seeking purpose and direction. We may not know that we are stability in a constantly changing world, but as “just-a-rock”we provide strength for those in need. We may not realize that we are shelter in the storm, but our constancy covers others as they seek safety.

When others are lost in the dark, we are meant to be the face that reflects a greater light.

We are meant to be the moon.

Our purpose is to BE WHERE WE ARE, trusting that God knows we're there, trusting that He has placed us right where we need to be. And as we turn our faces toward the Son, reflecting His light, we will impact our environment according to His plan.

We are meant to be the moon.