Three Sunrises

(While I am writing blogs for Advent, I am sharing a few of my past writings. This one is from August, 2010.)

Day 1: On my morning walk, I was eagerly anticipating and watching for the early morning sunrise. However, my timing was off and the sun crested while I was walking in a neighborhood filled with homes. I kept glancing between houses, watching for the bright orange glow- but I was also moving quickly, trying to burn calories. Just then, I came upon a space between the houses and caught a glimpse of the sun coming up! But as I thought, “I should stop and savor this moment,” I remembered that my goal was to move quickly and burn calories. I kept going. That particular sunrise would never come my way again.

How many moments like these do we miss each day? More importantly, how many times has God touched our lives- in experiences, in people, in thoughts- and we miss this touch of God? God is here. God is now. We don’t have to wait until heaven- for heaven is here among us. We simply have to notice.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13 NIV)

Day 2: Fully aware of what I had missed the previous day, I walked with my full attention toward the morning sky. This time, I stopped and thanked God for the beauty and the splendor of the sunrise. It was GLORIOUS! The clouds encircled the vivid orange globe, creating streaks of deep blue and violet throughout the surrounding sky.

God is a God of second chances. It is never too late. There are always “do-overs,” chances to begin again. The grace in all of this is that our second chances may be more beautiful than the ones we have missed- because we experience them with new awareness and appreciation.

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:19 NIV)

Day 3: This morning the clouds covered the sunrise. Yet, even though I couldn’t see the sun, the clouds were strikingly tinged with the bright orange from its glow behind them. It was a beautiful morning, but in a different way.

An additional blessing from God’s love is the hope we are given, the hope we can carry with us in all circumstances. Even when clouds cover the sun, we know the sun is right there behind them, perhaps making a more glorious scene than before. Isn’t this the hope that we should be sharing with others?

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have… (1 Peter 3:15 NIV)