The Sunrise from on High

“Because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet in the way of peace.” Luke 1:78

One of my favorite things to do is watch the sunrise, especially from the vantage point of a beach.  I remember being at the beach several years ago, waking early each morning to watch the sun come up over the ocean. Believe it or not, it was my first experience seeing a sunrise. I’m not a morning person, but since it was something I have always wanted to see, I was determined to do it just once. It only took one time of beholding this awesome display of God’s artistry to get me hooked and it has become a tradition for me every year that I go to the beach. What stood out to me most was how each sunrise was different, a masterpiece of its own.

On the first day, I awoke early, rushing out to the beach, wrapped in my blanket, ready to watch the sun come up only to find the sun hidden behind the clouds. I was a little bit disappointed, fearing the sunrise would not be as lovely as I had hoped. But I waited and watched as the sun gradually burned away the edges of the clouds, rising above them, becoming brighter and brighter until it’s brilliance was so great I had to look away.

I thought about how events or circumstances can cloud my view of God. Sometimes I may feel confused about what God is doing, unable to see His plans as fully as I would like. But if I am patient, if I will wait, God will come beside me, burning through the fog, bringing light and clarity to my path allowing me to rest in the warmth of His embrace and light.

The next morning ushered in clear skies, full of rich colors of red, orange, and yellow against the calm, blue ocean. The sun rose quickly. It was one of the most beautiful display of God’s splendor I have ever seen. It was if the whole sky was a rainbow of promise that God is with us and is continually drawing our eyes to Himself.

I walked away praising God for the days when His presence is clearly felt, when our way is clear and bright, when the struggles are not as pressing, and we can just bask in the goodness of God’s peace and rest.

The last morning of my trip was overcast. The ocean was rough and the sky was gloomy; clouds filled the sky, hiding the sun from view.  I watched the sky expectantly for a while but eventually grew tired of waiting. Resolved that I wouldn’t see a beautiful sunrise, I went on with my day. It wasn’t until several hours later that sun began to rise above the gray clouds. With no rainbow of color to foreshadow its coming, the sun broke through the clouds like a ball of fire bringing light to the day.

There are days that I feel alone in the dark, as if God is not there, when I feel the darkness closing in around me and I cry out, “How long, oh God?”, as David so often did in the Psalms. However, these are feelings, not truth. The truth is, God is always there, even when I can’t see Him, working behind the clouds in my life. In His perfect time, He reveals Himself in glorious splendor, pouring His light and life into me, enabling me to press on in obedience through His strength on the path of life He has set in front of me. It is in these times that keeping a godly perspective is most crucial to faithfully running the race of faith with endurance, pressing on through the storm until His light breaks through.

I enjoy the beauty of the clear days, and also I realize there are lessons to be learned and discipline to be gained in the clouds. I am tempted to grow impatient when God’s timing is not mine and to become anxious when I cannot see. However, when I purpose to walk with endurance, fixing my eyes on Jesus, the Sunrise from on high, I get fresh perspectives of His character, I see His beauty reflected in my life as He redeems my moments, my days, my story.

Below is a poem that I wrote as I thought through the comparisons of the sunrise/Sonrise.

Sonrise

Amidst the darkness, the sun arose.

In glorious splendor, a rainbow of color spilled across the horizon of the deep, filling the expanse with the break of day, a promise of a new beginning.

Purple changed to rose, rose to brilliant red, then to orange, until a burst of yellow shone so brightly across the horizon that I had to look away.

 So magnificent was the sun’s light that my eyes could not fully behold its beauty; 

To gaze upon it any longer would cause my eyes to go blind.

Amidst the darkness, the Son arose.

In glorious splendor, a rainbow of color spilled across the horizon of the depth of my soul, filling it with the Dayspring of Hope, the promise of a new beginning.

So magnificent was the Son’s light that my eyes could not fully behold His beauty. 

Yet, I could not look away. I was compelled to gaze on as His light burned away all that blinded me and caused me to finally see.