Narrow is the Path
I drove nine hours to Ohio and thought I was going to miss the eclipse.
I stared out the window that morning panicking because all I could see were thick clouds.
How disappointing!
My wife kept me calm throughout the day and encouraged me that the weather forecast was showing clear skies when it mattered most.
I’ll save the suspense.
At 3:15 pm at Mosquito Lake Park, OH I experienced totality.
And to be in the path it was all worth it.
Many have since questioned if making the trip provided a difference in what we saw.
The short answer? Yes!
We had to travel this far to be 100% in the path of totality.
Because being only 98% of the way there wouldn’t cut it.
Not if you wanted the experience millions across the country had.
Seeing a total eclipse in the path of totality is like nothing you will ever experience.
Others I’ve talked to also say it’s indescribable but I’ll do my best.
A partial eclipse is a special moment because of the rarity of the event.
But I must say that totality and a partial eclipse are as different as listening to someone play chopsticks versus sitting front row at a Beyonce Concert.
Not even the same event.
Most are curious about what it feels like to go completely dark.
A surreal experience I must admit.
But a few other phenomena stuck with me.
When the total eclipse started, it took me by surprise. I was struck with a feeling of awe.
Respect,
Fear,
Wonder
Are my eyes deceiving me?
Am I really seeing what I’m seeing?
Is this real?
This picture that I’ve chosen to share from NASA shows my favorite part of the eclipse in detail.
The white rays of light surrounding the sun are just as visible to the naked eye.
Not only are they visible, but the rays of light are LITERALLY dancing around the sun.
They extend 5 million miles above the sun’s surface and move as if the wind were blowing the petals of a large flower.
(I’ve since learned that this is the Sun’s atmosphere. How cool!)
So here I am witnessing the Sun’s atmosphere and solar flares and temperature change and total darkness all with my family.
A life-changing experience that I had to intentionally travel to this location to witness.
As we were sitting in traffic on the Pennsylvania Turnpike my mind started to wander.
And I got a longing to see the eclipse again.
I immediately declared that at the very least I would see the next one in America in Miami in 20+ years.
That was a given.
But I started wanting to see it more often.
It reminded me of how we ought to long for Jesus and his imminent return.
The white coming off the sun was as pure a white as you could ever imagine.
It gave me a glimpse of the light that will surround Jesus as he burst through the clouds to save us and the explosions gave me a glimpse of the Angels that will accompany him.
This experience was life-changing and I want everyone to have this opportunity.
Here is the kicker though.
Just like I had to be intentional to go view this natural phenomenon.
We too have to be intentional.
We won’t be able to witness this AWE-some experience of Jesus coming back if we aren’t intentional in getting to know him and yearning for his love.
Don’t travel 98% of the way with Jesus.
Just like the eclipse. If you’re not in the narrow path you’ll miss the experience.
G. Banks
13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy[a] that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Matthew 7:13-14
P.S. Here are some pictures from the trip
