I was wondering about the reflectiveness of the moon! Afterall, we're used to things needing to be very smooth in order to reflect well. And we know the surface of the moon is rocky, uneven and dusty!!! The things that reflect best here, are polished metals, and the quietest bodies of water! So how does the moon manage to reflect so much sunlight that it glows boldly in the night?? Even showing clarity of detail, like the shadows of great valleys!! Surely if the surface is so uneven, the reflection should be much more fuzzy and indistinct! So I did some Googling 😄.
It reminded me that all things have some reflectivity - that's how we see them at all!! Not just smooth things - we just notice them because they have such high reflectivity!! The moon's crystalline surface is no more reflective than newly laid asphalt!! But in the darkness of night, it appears bright, as it sits so close to us, bathed in the brightness of the sun!! It is as though an asphalt road, alone washed in sunlight, was completely surrounded by dark. It would stand bright in comparison!! It just appears dull in the daytime because everything is so bright in the sunlight!!
And the reason it's details are clear is because, although it's reflection is bouncing off in all directions, what actually reaches the tiny collection point that is my eye, is all coming from about the same angle!! So I can see the details with clarity - and so can you! Even when we're not standing in the same spot on this earth!
So the moon, of itself, is not very reflective. It shines because the sun is so very bright!! And we see it because it is so close to us!! Even though very little of the sun's light, reflected from it, actually comes to us!! And we see the detail because we only see the light rays that come directly to our eyes.
Maybe there's a thought or two there. Light from us, only comes from the Son!! And we don't reflect it that well! But a dark world around us can draw comfort from the little we can share. Who we are, valleys and all, becomes beautiful when bathed in the light of Him. And people all around us, with all their different viewpoints! - see the same beautiful picture in us! Because they see the light, coming to them from Him!!
As poor reflectors as we are, we still bring something of Him to those who aren't feeling the warmth of the Son directly. So let Him shine on you and in you!! And let the glow lift those around you.
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