A devotional by Pam Benedict.

For months, millions of people prepared.  They bought specialty items from grocery stores, analyzed weather forecasts,  and planned travel routes with Google maps.  They read articles, listened to podcasts, and tuned into science programs.  Those far away bought airline tickets and booked Airbnb’s, so they could be closer. Schools canceled classes, businesses closed early, and adults took the day off.  In a time characterized by polarizing opinions, this was something everyone could agree on… this was definitely going to happen, and everyone wanted to be a part of it.  The “once in a lifetime” event that we were preparing for?  Monday, April 8, 2024, the total eclipse of the sun.

Our family joined in the excitement. We sent each other articles and maps, bought eclipse glasses & themed snacks (Sunchips, Sunkist soda, Moon pies, Eclipse chewing gum).  Our kids at college carpooled out to Erie, PA.  Our daughter-in-law in Germany did a WhatsApp call during the eclipse with her parents in Indiana.  Steve & I went to his parent’s cabin Sunday afternoon after church so we could drive towards Buffalo, NY the next morning into  the path of the totality.

As we drove, we noticed friends, family, neighbors, and strangers gathered in backyards, on ball fields, and at parks united by the common desire to catch a glimpse of this phenomenon.  The direction everyone was looking?  UP.   The night before we all looked up into the night sky and wondered how the next day would look.  That morning we looked up to check the cloud cover. As we drove, we looked up to see where the sun was in the sky.  And of course, once we got to our destination, we looked up to watch for changes in the sky (even long before anything actually happened!)

Steve and my day was a bit of a misadventure with clouds and then rain. We ended up eating our picnic lunch inside our car.  At one point I took a picture of Steve holding a bag of Sunchips and a Sunkist soda and told the family group chat, “This is the only Sun we are seeing!”  Finally we gave up and decided to drive back towards the cabin.  Along the back roads, as we traveled, it got pitch black and we needed to turn on headlights and eventually high beams to see where we were driving.  Even under cloudy skies and while driving, it was pretty exciting to experience the totality- 3:17 PM in the afternoon looked like 11 PM at night.  At the far edge of the horizon, we could still see light, but we were in total darkness. It reminded me of the plague in Exodus 10 when the Egyptians had total darkness while the Israelites had light in all the places they lived.

On our drive back, the clouds parted long enough for us to catch a brief glimpse of the end of the eclipse as the moon finished moving past the sun.  But later that evening Justin recounted to us how he & Katelyn experienced every detail of the eclipse from beginning to end.  I’m glad someone saw it! What a fascinating day!

Afterwards,  I got to thinking about how the Bible tells us to prepare, to gather, and to look up, for another event, much greater and with eternal significance…Jesus’ return.

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so, we will be with the Lord forever.  Therefore encourage each other with these words.  1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

 For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night…But you are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.  You are children of the light and children of the day… So then let us be alert and self-controlled… putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.  1 Thessalonians 5:4-8

Just as astronomers let us know the eclipse was coming, so the Bible tells us Jesus is coming again.  We don’t know the day or the hour, but we do know God’s promises are sure.  We prepare for Jesus’ return by receiving Christ as our Savior, making him Lord of our life and guarding our hearts and minds. The Bible reminds us to be alert, self-controlled and to put on the armor of God (like wearing protective eclipse glasses!).

But we can also help others prepare. In the same way we didn’t hesitate to share our eclipse plans with other or tell friends where to find solar eclipse glasses, so too we can boldly share what Jesus has done in our lives and point people to where they can find hope.

People naturally gathered on the day of the eclipse.  As Christians we gather every week on Sunday to remind ourselves of what Jesus has already done for us, how He is actively working in our lives, and how HE IS COMING BACK!  We can comfort and encourage each other with these truths because the Day is getting closer.   Perfect justice is coming.  Freedom from all sin is coming.  Relief from grief & pain is coming. Eternity forever with Jesus is coming.

At that time, they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. Luke 21:27-28

Are you preparing?  Are you gathering?  Are you looking up?

Even so come, Lord Jesus!