When our phone rang about eight weeks ago, the display showed that it was our son calling. I was, of course, delighted, but I was not prepared for his greeting. "Mom, Mary and I want to come to the ranch for the solar eclipse on April 8."

"What solar eclipse?" said I.

Since then, much of the conversation in our small town of Clifton, Texas, USA, has been about the total solar eclipse which will engulf our county on April 8. I found out that the shadow of the moon will move from the South Pacific Ocean diagonally across North America from the southwest at Mazatlán, Mexico, to the northeast in Atlantic Canada. Because our town is in the centre of the shadow of totality, the eclipse will last about four minutes. Apparently, there is a higher chance of good weather here. The number of people who follow such eclipses is apparently amazing, and we know that there is a tour group coming from Japan. Clifton is about a two-hour drive south from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, so we do not know if there will be a few hundred or several thousand coming our way. We were warned to stock up on groceries at least two weeks in advance and to be sure to keep our gas tanks full. There will be four ambulances available instead of the usual three, and the hospital emergency room will be open 24 hours in both its county locations. We have had meetings with the local sheriff and police chief. At the end of his meeting, the police chief said, "Here is my personal cell phone number. Call me if you need me." I thought, Where else in the world would the police chief give out his personal cell phone number?

Then I began wondering how many people who follow this sun event are aware of the true Son, Jesus Christ, the Son of God? To view the solar eclipse fully without damage to the eyes, it is imperative to wear solar eclipse glasses. The real challenge, though, for all Christians who live in the path of the eclipse, is to live so that by our actions, visitors will also see the message and good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, for which no special glasses are necessary. What is necessary is that those of us who know the Son of God to be our Saviour will demonstrate in word and deed to everyone what it is like to know the true Son, Jesus Christ, and to know the peace which that knowledge brings.

Deuteronomy 4:19a – When you look to the heavens and see the sun, moon, and stars — all the stars in the sky — do not be led astray to bow in worship to them and serve them. (CSB)

Prayer: Gracious God, in the midst of all the publicity and hype over the solar eclipse, help us to remember to be Son worshippers and not sun worshippers. Amen.

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About the author:

Saranne (Punky) Penberthy <saranne.penberthy@gmail.com>
Clifton, Texas, USA
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