During a stay on the Oregon coast last summer, the full moon rose over the ocean. I gasped at its sheer beauty and, without hesitation, grabbed my phone. Leaning against the deck railing, I tried to capture this magical moment. Often, a photo fails to reproduce the wonder our eyes behold, but this time, it succeeded beautifully.

This glowing orb gracing the night sky captivates me, drawing me into a moment of oneness with my Creator. I marvel at the beauty He has woven into every corner of the earth. It all speaks to His intricate and boundless creativity.
Genesis 1:16 tells us that on the fourth day of creation, God made the sun to rule the day and the moon to rule the night. The Hebrew word used for “rule” here is memsala (mem-shaw-la)(1), which can also be translated as "realm" or "domain."

The nighttime realm belongs to the moon. I love this subtle nuance of meaning: the nighttime realm—a gentle kingdom illuminated by soft, silvery light. A mysterious space, where hidden things are revealed, and God's breath fills the quiet. Absent is the glaring light of day, with its constant bustle and pressures.

In this silvery domain, my eyes are drawn to the stars, and I feel the heartbeat of the Creator beckoning me closer. Even as the moon waxes and wanes, the stars continue their eternal dance.

I’ve never feared the dark—not even as a child. I know many who do, and while I understand their fear, it is not my own. I only had one fear as a child, but it was a big one—my dad. Compared to the terror of his anger, everything else seemed small.

I remember, around age eleven, waking from a terrifying nightmare. Desperate to sleep, I kept lying down, only for the nightmare to return. I fought to stay awake, leaning on the windowsill above my bed. Gazing at the moon, I felt God's comfort, calming my heart. Soon, I fell back into an undisturbed sleep. The nightmare faded, but I clearly remember the quiet assurance of God’s presence. It became an anchor point in my life.

The soft light of the moon, hanging in the sky like a tender gift from a loving Creator, assured me that He was with me—that I would be okay. Every time I look at the moon, I feel that same whisper of reassurance. So far away, yet so immense, it reminds me that God is bigger than any challenge I face.

Just as the moon lights up the darkness, I find myself reflecting on how well I illuminate the darkness with my own light. Do I reflect the light of the Son in such a way that others can find their way? Or have I allowed the distractions of this world to dim that light, much like how the moon shrinks to a mere sliver when the earth blocks the sun’s reflection?

It is my prayer that I position myself to reflect the Son’s light fully—to shine like a full moon, undistracted and unhindered. I long to not let the worries of life obstruct His light in my heart. May I remain pure in heart, following Him closely.


Footnote:1.
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h4475/amp/wlc/0-1/
Strong’s H4475