Be careful not to live with your head down. You will miss the glory and wonder of the sky.
I aimed my Jeep west in the pre-dawn light this morning eager to start my preparation for a new series on Heaven–the Eternal State–The New Heavens and the New Earth–The Eternal Kingdom of God. I am calling the series The Ultimate Universe. It seemed appropriate with ultimate things on my heart to see at mid-point in the western sky a hazy full moon glowing yellow.
Last night the waxing moon rose nearly full. It was the Harvest Moon, or the Corn Moon–the full moon that occurs nearest the autumnal equinox. When the children were small we tried to take walks on full-moon nights. That is when we lived on the Rutledge Road farm in a valley and the moon was impossible to miss. The valley opened to the east and a full moon would rise into the sky cradled between hills on either side. Now we live in a pleasant suburb and sometimes the moon hides behind the other houses and trees in the neighborhood. If I am sharp and anticipate it, and late in the night toward bedtime, I step out into the front yard I can find the moon high up in the branches of the massive Cottonwood towering over Granville Cottage.
I had an early morning call yesterday and a late meeting at the church last night so I drove home tired and oblivious to the glory of the Harvest Moon rising in the night sky. But this morning, headed for my coffee with eternal things on my heart, there it was–a hazy yellow ball in the western sky. They say it grew full a half-hour later at about 7:13 a.m.
Lift Up the Eyes of Your Heart
There is a world beyond this world, the dwelling-place of God. One day the dwelling place of God and the dwelling place of man will be one and those who have been made righteous will enjoy him forever on a perfect renewed earth.
They say that tonight the Corn Moon will be near full. I’m hoping for a clear night and a date with Hope and Hazard. If everything goes well we will wait until the moon rises into the eastern sky and we will walk to the park and circle the pond and enjoy the stirring sight of the moon climbing the night sky. Not everything in life happens immediately on cue, but if it does tonight geese will from a “V” in the sky and honk their way across the glowing face of the moon. There will be a silvery path on the water, and Hope will squeeze my hand. We’ll see what happens. I’ll let you know.