Tag: Christian Living

I missed it! They said this lunar eclipse would be the first of its type in 600 years and would not occur again in 600 years, and I missed it! I had all intentions of waking up and viewing it, perhaps even get a photo, but I missed it. Early morning, cold temperature, and fatigue did not make for a good viewing combination, at least for me. Along with colleagues some years ago, I witnessed a solar eclipse. A lunar eclipse is a flipped view of the same phenomenon in which the Earth casts a shadow or obscures the sun shining on the moon, blocked if you would. Both events involve the two great lights as described in Genesis 1:14-18.

That was only one disappointing highlight for the week, however.

They warned me, so I should have known better. While working on Facebook, I clicked on a link from a “trusted” friend. My “friend” later claimed someone hacked her account. In short, I ended up being blocked out of Facebook despite following their instructions for regaining access.

There was good news during that week for which I am grateful. A dear sister penned a wonderful discourse on the Holy Spirit. In it, she described the personal dwelling in the lives of believers, which occurred after Christ’s ascension (Acts 2:32,33). She used one of my favorite scriptures, “…when He the Spirit is come, He will guide you into all truth….” (John 16:13). This shows the active involvement in each of our lives that the third Person of the Godhead would relish–if we would allow Him to have the opportunity.

Indeed, the work of the Holy Spirit has been present before the beginning of time as portrayed in the Genesis creation account (Genesis 1:2), as well as vividly displayed throughout both the Old and New Testaments. There are also the unfortunate occurrences where individuals did not allow the Holy Spirit to be involved in their personal affairs and refused His counsel. A case in point is Pharaoh, the same Pharaoh mentioned in the Exodus account. The Bible points him out as having his heart hardened by God. We know, however, that God does not force the will, though He wants every individual to be saved (1 Timothy 2:3, 4). So what happened in Pharaoh’s case?

Pharaoh, as each of us, had the power of choice or free will, as ordained by God. However, he refused the truth as they presented it to him. Perhaps initially it was because of disbelief, pride, or incredulity. As the saying goes, one turn begets another. The result was a hardened heart. He had grieved the Holy Spirit; the work of the Holy Spirit was blocked.

We still have opportunities to be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). Recognize and respond to the wooing of the Holy Spirit. The Bible admonishes us not to harden our hearts and block the working of the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 3:7,8).

I would like to say that my Facebook account has been restored, but it remains blocked. A word to the wise, delete or ignore, but certainly do not click on suspicious links.

For the next major lunar eclipse, let’s catch it together next time! (Revelation 22:5).