Transverse Orientation

I live in the basement. I have like one window. It's dark down here. When I wake up in the morning, the first thing I do (after putting my glasses on) is open the curtains to my one window and let the light stream in. Immediately, the darkness is no more. We need light. We crave light.

We see sooooo many lights in a normal day- red lights while we're driving, neon signs all down the street, power button light when our TV is turned on & off, fluorescent (unflattering) lights in dressing rooms, flash lights when our power goes out, exit signs to get us out of the theater, headlights or high-beams that are way too bright.. and the list continues. We are naturally drawn to the lights all around us and we aren't the only ones.

Have you ever seen a moth at night? There they are flying around your porch light as you're trying to get in the house as quickly as you can before they follow or fly in your face. So annoying right!? Well, there are various hypotheses as to why they are so attracted to light. One that I find so intriguing is called "Transverse Orientation." Basically, by them staying in right angle with the moon, they can fly in a straight line. However, with the moon being so far away from them, they get distracted when a much closer artificial light appears. They turn towards the new light and attempt to adjust their flight pattern which results in them spiraling closer and closer to the new source of light. The moon, their real light source is replaced with the artificial light.

WOAH... I never thought I would have anything in common with a moth but I do. And you do too. 

We have a source that we are supposed to be aligned with. We have THE LIGHT- Jesus Christ. As long as we are aligned with Him and looking to Him for our flight path (His will, purpose, and plan), we have the right flight pattern. However, like the moth, when an artificial light that seems bright and tangible gets in our path, we look to it and get off track. The devil who "himself masquerades as an angel of light (ll Corinthians 11:14)" has his "right" flight pattern for us too. He wants to destroy our path to the Source and will throw in every light he can to detour us and distract us.

Do you recognize this pattern in your own life? One moment you are seeking God and so focused on Him but the next, your gaze is shifted on something else and you spiral out of control. It might not be sudden but it is sure. Maybe you've been a Christian for a long time, maybe your just beginning your walk with The Lord, or maybe you have not asked Him into your heart yet. Wherever, whoever you are... You are attracted to and following after some light. Anything, anyone, and any situation that allows a glimmer of hope, a sparkle of fun, or a bright opportunity is an attraction for us. We see these lights so close, so touchable while God seems so far away and let ourselves fly to them. Sure, they may be fun for a while and they may not even be bad, but they become our new flight pattern that we adjust ourselves to. They may last for a moment or maybe much longer but remember that they are artificial and they WILL GO OUT.

There is only ONE TRUE LIGHT who will never go out. One who will never ever leave you or forsake you. "That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. (John 1:9)" It is amazing that God created us to need Him, to crave His Light. As long as our eyes are fixed on Him, we are at the right angle to keep flying on the right route that he has planned for us. But so often we allow satan to get to us with his false lights.

So how do we stop this pattern and stay focused on the right Light? Well, what do you do when you can't see in the middle of the night? You turn on the light. You have the electricity available to you so easily but if you don't plug into it, you won't see the Light. So, plug into God. Read His word every day, pray to Him sincerely from your heart, lift your hands in surrender to Him, and dwell in His abounding presence & love. Let the TRUE LIGHT SOURCE guide you. Allow Him to shine brighter and brighter in your life so that when the devil comes at you with his artificial lights, they will be dim in comparison and your gaze will not even shift.

We need light. We crave light. We are drawn toward some light. Don't be like the moth.

B&B (Beth Ann)