September 24, 2025 When Light Hits the Junk

Wednesday, September 24, 2025 

When Light Hits the Junk 

For it is the God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.”     
2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (NRSVUE) 

Last week at dinner, Hudson made a sudden proclamation: “My teacher said that the moon and Venus are going to be right next to each other this weekend, so we are all going outside TONIGHT to see it for ourselves!” Now, I’m not one to knock down astronomical ambitions in this household, and since it was a Friday night with no school the next morning, I gladly agreed. 

Later that evening, I grabbed our star-watching binoculars and stepped outside with the kids. I scanned the sky, but quickly realized on my phone’s night sky app that the moon wasn’t going to rise until 6AM. So instead, we looked up and noticed a “moving star.” At first, the kids debated: “Is it an airplane? It isn’t blinking! What is it?!” Then we realized it was a satellite reflecting the sun as it drifted slowly across the sky. When I looked it up on my phone, I discovered it wasn’t just any satellite. It was an old burnt-out rocket, affectionately known as space junk. 

Let me summarize that: my kids were awestruck by junk.  

As a parent, I wasn’t entirely surprised (after all, I’ve watched them play more with the boxes toys come in than the toys themselves at Christmas). But there was something deeper happening. When the light shone on it, even junk looked awe-inspiring. 

That moment reminded me of what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:6-7: “For it is the God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.” 

If sunlight can make an old rocket shine like a star, how much more can God’s light transform the broken, discarded, and weary places in our lives? What feels like “space junk” in your own story - burnout, failure, regrets - may be the very place we need to let God’s light shine. And when God’s light reflects off you, others may look up in wonder, not at you, but at our God who redeems. 

Reflection: Where in your life do you feel like there’s “space junk”? What would it mean to invite God’s light into that area this week? 

Prayer:  Gracious God, Your light into the dark and forgotten places of our lives. Help us see the beauty You bring, even from what feels like junk. Make us reflectors of Your glory so that others may be drawn to You. Amen. 

With faith, hope, and love, 

Eric Smith