Many years ago, a very young girl grew up with a name that she truly didn't like. For years, she tried to ignore her name. She did not like the name that her mother and father, mostly mother, had given her. When she went to school, she began to realize that not many people had ever heard of her name. Her name was almost an embarrassment to her. No one could spell it! And she learned to just accept whatever spelling showed up next. To make matters worse, she was the only person in her family, her church, her school. She longed to have a common name like Mary or Susan or Beth or Diane. Those were names of popular girls! Then came the day she discovered the name meaning books. Probably it was when her mother and father started thinking of names for an expected baby coming to join the family. Baby name books often get searched and searched to find the perfect name for the new little one to come to join a family.
I know that personally, as my husband and I together added son after son, after son after son to our family, I read and reread the name books. Unlike many young girls, I had not dreamed of what my future children might be named. When our first baby arrived early, we were totally unprepared for a new little one much earlier than we expected. We had no diapers, no name, nothing to prepare for a baby. We had to come up with a name before we were allowed to check out of the hospital. We began to study the name books in earnest. And since we could not agree on a name, we decided to look at the name meanings. That was helpful and we were able to take our baby home! We liked the name we chose, and we thought the meanings so appropriate to our situation at the time of our first baby’s birth. Then later came more babies. So, I continued my study of names, searching along with my husband. But besides wanting each name to include double letters as tributes to our own double letter names, we resorted to finally looking at the meanings again. Each son has a name that we thought was unique in spelling and that had a good meaning and hoped they would approve in the future. Many times, I have thought about Biblical names. Often the Bible gives us clues about what Bible names mean. And time after time, the meaning seems to indicate what the fate of the Bible person was to be. I have often wondered, how did the parents know what to name their children that would turn out to be so appropriate, so that the name ended up being so meaningful. Did the name almost cause the fate of the person? Did the grown man get to choose his own given name and that is what history has called him? Or are we only given the name that God wanted them known as? How did John, whose name means God is gracious, become John the Beloved when he became the best friend of Jesus? I guess I will get the answers to my questions someday in heaven!
Continuing to think about the little girl’s name—yes, I was the little girl who didn't like her name! One day as I was looking at the baby name’s book my mother and father were using for the expected addition to our family. I looked up the meaning of my name. I discovered the name I didn't like had a pretty nice meaning! Then I looked at the meaning of my middle name! I liked that, too! Putting them together was even better! I can remember even signing my name to my school papers with the meanings, not my given name. I'm sure that my teacher may have been puzzled for a while! But she was so tolerant. And in time, I grew to like my name and was no longer unhappy about my parents’ choice. My first name had meanings of sparkling, light, bright one, desired. My middle name meant dwelling in a quiet valley. I thought that the two names went together quite well. I liked thinking about being bright and sparkling in the dale—in a quiet valley! I began to like my name for the first time. I now believe that God helped my parents to find a name that had such a good meaning. And I have learned that I am not the only Eileen! I am no longer embarrassed when I hear my name. And someday I want to hear my name called out by Jesus to join Him in the cloud of His second coming. I will not be embarrassed and joyfully answer to His call. I want to hear that call!
Just perhaps, the meaning was a tiny bit appropriate! I like bright sparkly things. Glittery suits me and I like shirts that glitter a bit! Maybe that is the reason that I really enjoy this time of year—fireworks season! My all-time favorites are the ones that just sparkle and glitter and seem to last "forever." I'm sure that they are some of the most expensive. The dazzling display and burst of colors and light in fireworks captivates viewers and me as they momentarily illuminate the darkness of the night sky. This sparkling spectacle evokes awe and wonder, similar to moments of spiritual renewal and inspiration that can fill lives with joy and light. Fireworks often celebrate grand occasions like freedom on Independence Day, celebrating freedom and new beginnings or events. Christians also celebrate freedom—freedom offered by Christ, which is freedom from sin and its power. This freedom is a gift of God's grace to me and everyone, not earned through our actions. The joy and hope that come from knowing Christ and living in His freedom can radiate from us in our daily living, like fireworks exploding in a grand display. Our faith can illuminate the world, just as fireworks bring light to darkness. We are called to be a light in the world, to reflect the beauty of the gospel to a dark world and of Jesus who is the light of the world for us (John 8:12) . No one, even me, should fear sharing faith and shining God's light, just as the fireworks' hidden exploding shells reveal their light in the night sky. The Holy Spirit guides us in spreading the light of the world. Recently I had a new idea about the Transfiguration of Jesus, in Mark 9:2-10. I was reading that it can be likened to a heavenly fireworks show—an unforgettable, dazzling experience for those who witnessed it. While none of us were present for those "heavenly fireworks and dazzling white robe," we can still celebrate the Savior to whom they point. The Bible describes God as the "Father of lights". Just as fireworks display a variety of colors, God has created each person unique individuals, capable of reflecting His light in their own way. As people enjoy the beauty of fireworks, they should remember the freedom in Christ and allow their lives to be a testament to His transformative power. The fire of faith should not be dimmed, but allowed to burst forth in acts of love, kindness, and grace. Like a well-timed fireworks show, faith should shine brightly, bringing glory to God in the darkness.
Fireworks are or can be a powerful reminder of God's glory, the freedom in Christ, and the call to be a light in the world. The celebration of fireworks should inspire all of us—ME—to live with bold faith, shining God's light for all to see.
Some in crowds at fireworks displays are sometimes fearful when caught off-guard with loud booms and explosions, and that reminds me of another heavenly display that will cause great fear for those who aren't prepared. 1 Thessalonians 5 and Revelation with out-of-this-world imagery describe the moment Jesus returns to earth like fireworks! His split-second return will Be loud, Be displayed in the sky, Involve terrified bystanders, Intrigue adoring crowds, some of whom are eagerly waiting for His return. Revelation 6:15-16 describes those who are not ready for the heavenly manifestation. They will try to bury their faces or cover their ears and will run to caves and beg rocks to fall on them. Why do they plead to die? Because they are not prepared for the great and glorious return of the Lord. There are many ways to be prepared for the brightness of Jesus's second coming—His Grand Fanale. Romans 14:10-12 tells us that eventually, "We will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God'" (NIV). I want to be one of those who will bow down before my Savior. It would be great if we all maintained faith as big and as bold as fireworks displays all the time. But that doesn’t always happen, not for me. We have doubts; we turn away from God at times. But fireworks can remind us to pause—and look upward. To look up toward God—and toward the beauty he can bring to our lives—if only we pay attention. As Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Let’s let the fireworks in our souls light up the world. Fireworks are a reminder that even the darkest nights in my life can be filled with beauty. Where words fail, fireworks speak. Fireworks remind me to have a celebration of life's fleeting moments.
If you’ve ever watched fireworks, then you know how mesmerizing the sight can be. Each tiny light makes its way into the darkness, and two perfectly timed fuses within the shell perform their duty to create an illuminous masterpiece. If the shell sits in a covered box, protected from anything that might ignite it, then the beauty it contains is never seen. The incredible vision of light it provides is, sadly, never displayed. We should have faith like fireworks, but sometimes expressing faith in Christ is challenging. I’ve had times when I’ve struggled with how to be a witness for Christ, maybe you have too. Yet, God’s Word reveals that we are called to be lights in the world. Matthew 5:14-16 CSB reminds us: “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
While it’s tempting to keep our “shells in the box” and our lights under the box and avoid revealing the light of Christ inside our hearts, that isn’t an option for us if we truly love the Lord. As a child of God, I must not be afraid to shine God’s light into the night sky and reveal the beauty of Jesus to a dark world.
Just like the perfectly timed fuses contained with the shells of fireworks, the Holy Spirit can show us the way and when to spread the Light of the world. What a wonderful thing to show a display of God’s light to others and live each day as shining lights.
A small crowd shares oo’s and aahh’s at the spectacular explosions. For just a few minutes we all are impressed and delighted by the beauty and power of man-made light. It gave us a sense of wonder. This year as we were being entertained with a small family type of celebration, I turned my head to the southwest and noticed a white light behind the trees. The half-moon was in no hurry to be noticed. It has been there before (Adam and Abraham and Jesus looked on this same half-moon), and it will be there again when all the glittering glitz is gone. It was quietly rising and moving along at its own pace, on its path and without any human help. But hardly anyone was noticing it. So it is with the glory of God and the glitz of sin. We are often more amazed at sin. And we ignore the glory of God. This is truly amazing to me. With all the wonders prepared for us, we choose to ignore what will be and choose the dark future.
I recently learned some interesting science facts. The moon rises about 240,000 miles above the earth, which means it soars about 500,000 times higher than the highest fireworks. The moon travels at about 2,300 miles per hour in its outward serenity around the earth, which is probably five times faster than the fireworks. The moon is 2,160 miles thick (from San Francisco to Cleveland). It weighs 81 quintillion tons (3 zeroes more than a trillion). It has mountain ranges with peaks almost as high as Mt. Everest. It has empty seas 750 miles across, and craters 146 miles wide and 20,000 feet deep. The power of the moon is unimaginable. Nothing on earth that man has ever made can compare. Every day the moon takes the oceans of the earth and lifts them quietly—millions upon millions upon millions of tons of water—quietly and irresistibly into the air. In Boston, the tide recedes 10 feet. In Eastport, Maine it recedes 19 feet. In Nova Scotia, in the Bay of Fundy, the tides vary up to 43 feet. The moon is an awesome thing. If you stood in the sunlight on the moon, the fluids in your body would boil, but if you walked into the shadow of a large rock on the moon, you would quickly freeze solid.
But who sees the moon and always stands in awe of the moon? Who even looks at the moon on Independence night when there are glittering fireworks to watch? Do we take time to notice the really great things in life? Should we be at all surprised that people are oblivious to the glory of God when there are such clear lessons of our blindness built into everyday experience? Then stop and think, that the moon is but a reflection of the sun which quietly keeps its 93-million-mile distance so that we won’t be consumed. Then think that the sun is but a medium sized star. Then think that God created them all and leads them out by number and calls them by name. “Because of the greatness of his might and the strength of his power not one of them is missing” (Isaiah 40:26).
And the best is yet to come! When Christ returns, there will be fireworks! Jesus said: There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming to the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory
With the 4th being on Friday night this year, we celebrated early so we could keep the Sabbath holy. Our family show ended with a wonderful grand finale, and I thank my brother for that! He definitely saved the best for last, and it was beautiful. I hope you have been able to see some beautiful fireworks displays in the past and have wonderful memories. More important, I hope you let your life, and your faith, sparkle and glitter all summer and all year long. On this July 4th remembering time, I invite you to be brave and share your faith like fireworks. Let’s try to make others stand in awe of the light we are sharing that only comes from Jesus! I invite you to join me in trying to be brave and share our faith like glittering sparkling fireworks. And also, join me in watching and waiting for the Grand Finale!!!!!
Go and shine and glitter—every day!