Sungazing

“Now we see through a glass darkly, but then we shall see face-to-face.” 1 Corinthians 13:12

Most Christians are familiar with this Scripture verse. Have you ever seen an eclipse of the sun? Days before the anticipated event, newscasters warn against watching the eclipse directly, even through sunglasses. Eye damage and permanent blindness can result from gazing upon the full light of the sun. What damage these mortal bodies would sustain if we were to gaze upon the full glory of God!

Before an eclipse, instructions are given for making a pinhole camera that projects the image of the sun on a piece of paper. The silhouette of the moon can be observed as it transverses the face of the sun. Or one can watch the eclipse on a video monitor as cameras with the proper filters record the event. These second-hand experiences however, are not terribly satisfying. Once-a-week sermons or books by noted Christian authors are good things and should not be ignored. But if they are the only experiences one has of God, they are second-hand sources.

Once in college, a classmate brought an extremely dark piece of glass to campus during an eclipse. It was the faceplate of a welder’s helmet. Through it, a welder can observe his work in the heart of his torch’s fire. The glass was dark enough that I could watch the progress of the eclipse directly, but in complete safety.

Scripture and the Holy Spirit are our welder’s glass. They permit us to gaze in adoration upon the face of God and live. But, oh for the day when the glass is no longer needed!