In Between the Moons | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: In Between the Moons | Previous Challenge Entry
By Hiram Claudio
01/11/11
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We have many phrases in our culture to reference or denote those events or times that are rare. Some that come to mind are “when pigs fly” or “when hell freezes over.” Surely another popular, and perhaps more gentle then the other two I’ve mentioned, is “once in a blue moon.” These are all meant to underscore those rare, unique, and uncommon situations or happenings in our lives – those things that are out of the ordinary and different.

For some, their entire life is spent in pursuit of “once in a blue moon” moments. They are captivated with seeking and experiencing the extraordinary, with living their lives in such a way as to only define happiness by these “once in a blue moon” occurrences. But by definition, these times are rare. They are unique and uncommon. If you look at the technical reference to this term and its connection to the lunar calendar, “blue moons” are VERY rare – often taking place with many years in between. So what about the time in between the moons? Where does that leave the overwhelming majority of our lives? In between the blue moons, do we just “exist,” waiting for these uncommon moments and the chance to “live?” Is that how this works?

It seems to me that while these blue moon moments are part of life, and it’s alright to pursue or look for them, to base or define or make the foundation of life these times is a recipe for despair. Too much time is spent in between the blue moons to only define life as meaningful by them. Could there be a clearer definition of “a waste of time” than this?

Blue moon moments are great and there’s nothing wrong with having or looking for them. But the broader definition of our lives will always be the time in between. Finding the joy, the peace, the excitement in the everyday, rather than only in the rare, is where life gains meaning and depth. And the truth is, it’s not about “finding” the joy and peace in between the blue moons but more about “making” it.

Psalm 118:24 is a verse so many know whether or not they regularly attend church. It simply states, “This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (NKJV). Here, we are basically shown that our ability to experience joy and gladness is not tied to rare or uncommon events. It can be a daily reality. The Lord creates each and every day and presents it to us as a gift. Do some days feel more like gifts than others? Sure they do. But our joy must never be the sole property of blue moon moments. You and I can rejoice and be glad with the dawning of every new day!

But how is this possible? This same verse gives us a clue. You see, God does His part. He makes each new day. Then what follows in the verse is our part for it says “we will.” We get to “choose” to rejoice. We get to “choose” to be glad and discover the joy in the many gifts and blessings we have been given.

Please don’t misunderstand me and I am intentionally being repetitive here. There’s nothing wrong with wanting blue moon moments or helping to create them. But they are … “once in a blue moon.” They are rare. To only live for them, or only define life as meaningful by them, is to waste all that time in between; to de-value the vast majority of the gift of life we have been given on this Earth. So, we can define life by rare “once in a blue moon” events or by the blessings we are given each day. Gee, that seems like and easy “choice” to me!

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