"As Moons"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

"As Moons"

   

   We all know people whose lives are dominated by the spiritual and moral temptation of "Look at me!"  Moreover, we have all doubtless ourselves fallen victim to the temptation, albeit in likely more subtle ways than the aforementioned servants of that which the Bible terms "vainglory."

   "They loved the praise of men more than the praise of God" (John 12:43).

   Glory is indeed vain, unless directed toward the only One truly worthy of attention, affirmation, and adoration.  "Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (I Corinthians 10:31).  No greater slavery exists than the fleshly and devilish longing for the admiration of others.  We must rather live as moons (orange ones if possible!) that reflect the sun's (Son's) light in full knowledge that we bear no illumination of our own.  No greater peace graces our hearts than building an altar within whereupon we sacrifice the carnal desire for attention that even if achieved, does not and cannot satisfy.  

   Certainly as we live loving, godly, and responsible lives through Christ, a measure of proper respect and approval from others may come our way.  In the New Testament epistles, the writers affirm many believers who lived well toward God and others by the power of the Holy Spirit.  The sixteenth chapter of Romans, for example, references by name twenty seven Christians deemed by Paul as worthy of mention.  However, such ones did not seek approval or appreciation.  They rather sought the glory of God, as opposed to the Apostle John's indictment of a man named Diotrephes, "who loveth to have the preeminence among them" (III John 1:9).  What emptiness of heart must have characterized Diotrephes, who sought the vanity of glory and found his way into Scripture as a lesson of futile self affirmation rather than Christ-honoring faith.

   Let us often visit the altar within our hearts where we may breathe the sweet sigh of relief that fills our spirits when the glory of God governs our sensibilities and determinations.  Again, our Heavenly Father made us as moons that absorb Light, and then reflect it to bring attention and honor to Another.  This is peace, the peace of the Christ who Himself declared, "I honor My Father" (John 8:49).  As He lives in us, the same determination will govern our attitudes and actions, leading to a heart that glimmers with glory, the glory of the Son.

"Not unto us, o Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy and Thy truth's sake!" 

(Psalm 115:1)

Weekly Memory Verse

   The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him."

(Lamentations 3:24-25)

    

  

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