Missed It!

Did you see it, or did you miss it? I’m talking about the aurora borealis—the Northern Lights. I missed it, but I tried really hard to see it.

At 7:40pm on Thursday night, a text from a friend who lives maybe two miles from our house announced the Northern Lights show had begun. He included a pretty pink picture to prove it. We scurried outside and searched the sky, but there were too many tall trees. So, we hopped into the car and headed off hoping to hunt them down.

Our first stop was the turnpike bridge less than a mile from our house. It provided a perfect position to peruse the northern horizon but no lights. We moved on, deciding to drive up to Ridge Road. It is named that because, in case you hadn’t guessed, it rolls along a ridge. We assumed our elevated search would result in seeing stupendous streaks of light. But the only lights were illuminating little athletes legging it out in local parks. We tried the airport. No aurora. We kept on searching as we sped along the ridge but saw none of the pinks, purples, and greens that were lighting up Facebook.

It seemed that everyone was seeing the Northern Lights but us. Since we had gone this far, we kept on going to the lake that many said was the most auspicious area to ascertain the aurora. There were lots of cars coming and going and a large party parked on an overpass, but all we saw was darkness, so we pressed on. At 9:15pm we drove down our dark driveway, disappointed we missed the dazzling display.

Looking at others’ pictures and comments that the lights were still visible, I sprinted outside, hoping to see a single shimmer or shaft. But there was only darkness and crickets, one of which took advantage of the open door and would probably chirp all night. But that’s okay. I could run outside every hour or so to check for the fleeting fluorescence.

A few friends said to focus my phone’s camera and take photos even if it feels futile. The camera was sure to find fugacious flashes. It didn’t. I wondered why. Photos from friends were phenomenal. I was in the same spots they had stopped. How had the luminaries eluded me?

I think it was a combination of things. I was dressed dandy for our spontaneous excursion but not to remain outside for a prolonged period. We didn’t stop and wait for the lights to appear. We just kept meandering and monitoring. We thought we were honed in on the northern horizon, but maybe we weren’t even headed in the right direction. Whatever the reason, the night wore on and all we could do was delight in others’ descriptions of their dynamic discoveries (secretly wondering if it was all an elaborate ruse).

There is another astronomical event that we are sure will not allude us—Jesus coming back in the clouds. Like my search for the Northern Lights, some are looking in the wrong direction (Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6) Some aren’t prepared, and others think it’s just a conspiracy theory (Therefore, you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Matthew 24:44)

Though we don’t know the specific day and time, it could be soon, so I’ll keep watching and waiting. This is one cataclysmic atmospheric luminescent event I’m sure I won’t miss. You won’t need your camera to capture the Light of the World. He will be evident to all. (Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the cloud of heaven with power and great glory. Matthew 24:30)

If you’re not sure you’re prepared for his appearing, ask me about it. And if you have great pictures of the aurora borealis, share them with me. I’d love to see their splendiferousness.

Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him (Revelation 1:7a NIV).