As you get ready for the weekend and some outdoor activities, maybe you have a checklist of items to bring. Large blanket? Check. Beach umbrella? Check. Iced tea? Check. Sunscreen? Check. Wide brimmed hat? Check? Have we got it all? Nope! One necessary item is missing from the checklist. Our sunglasses.
Today is National Sunglasses Day, established in 2009 by the Vision Council Foundation, encouraging everyone to realize that the skin isn’t the only thing affected by UV rays. You must protect your eyes.
The origin history of sunglasses is a bit unclear, however, it is believed that the Inuit people developed the prototype to help them against the blinding glare of snow. Using bone, small slits or holes were carved into pieces that would fit over the eyes, reducing the amount of sunlight exposure. From there, sunglasses have been like anything else, following trends through the years starting in the 1900s and modeled by Hollywood stars in their movies.
From the Prada model SPR07F, styles led to the Persol 714, 3138 Shooter, the Wayfarer, the round oversized worn by Jackie Kennedy, Aviators, Clubmasters, Manhattan’s, rose colored, sunglasses for outdoor athletics, Ray Bans, Oakleys, and a whole lot more.1 My favorite style of sunglasses has been the ever-so-popular chic brand called CHEAP! As long as they are rated for UV protection, that’s all that matters. A cheap pair of sunglasses is just as functional as an expensive pair. And if mine get broke or lost, I don’t feel too devastated.
We will come back to this in a moment. Let me transition to the Scriptures with a question. Who was the first person to break ALL the Ten Commandments at once? The answer? MOSES. He had been given the two tablets upon which God had written the commandments. Upon descending the mountain, he came to where the Israelites were waiting only to find that they had made a golden calf. They were dancing naked around the idol and this infuriated Moses. Exodus 32:19 says, “And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses’ anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.” See? He broke all ten at once!
Moses went back up the mountain to intercede for the people. Moses said to God in Exodus 33:18-23, “And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. (19) And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. (20) And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. (21) And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: (22) And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: (23) And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.”
Now, look at what happens when Moses comes down from the mountain with a second set of the Ten Commandments. Exodus 34:29-33 says, “And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses’ hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. (30) And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him. (31) And Moses called unto them; and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned unto him: and Moses talked with them. (32) And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh: and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him in mount Sinai. (33) And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.”
This would have been a good time for everyone to have a pair of Ray Bans or Oakleys!
Can you imagine seeing the brilliant glory of the Lord? While in Heaven, we will definitely see it. Evidently, our new eyes will be able to behold that glory without being blinded because The Revelation tells us that there will be no need of the sun and there will be no more night. The glory of God will fill and reach everywhere.
Hopefully, the sun is shining brightly today so that this devotional has its own visible illustration. If it is, close your eyes and lift your face toward the sun. Soak it in for a moment and imagine what it’s going to be like in Heaven someday. Revelation 22:3-5 reminds us, “And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: (4) And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. (5) And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.”
1https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-sunglasses-day-june-27
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