This summer I fell in love with sunrises and sunsets. It all started one Sunday night as I was driving home from work. I could see over the houses and stores that the sun was setting. I decided to chase it. I had no idea where I was going, but I just wanted to see the sunset unobstructed by man made objects. So, I sped past my house and kept driving down the road into the country. Eventually I ended up in the field driveway on a random country road.
See why I chased it?
It was this night that I felt God whisper that it was the beginning of a new season for Him and I. He set in my heart a desire to seek His face with higher level of intensity then ever before.
My heart says of you, "Seek His face!" Your face, Lord, I will seek. Psalm 27:8
When thinking about what this new intensity would like, I thought it would be fun to see the sunrise and the sunset every day. My hearts desire was to seek God fully and not waste the day. So, I decided that I would get up when the sun did. You can imagine my surprise and slight shock as I came home that night to discover that in June the sunrises around 5:15-5:30am, but I decided to try it anyway. The first few mornings/weeks were rough, but as the summer progressed I got used to waking up early and to my delight the sun also started rising later ;) I want to share with you just one of the beautiful lessons I learned and am continuing to learn as I meet the sun in the morning.
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of the day.
Proverbs 4:18
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will do this; He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Psalm 37:5-6
And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday sun. Isaiah 58:10
Waking up when it was still early and dark was sometimes usually rough. Honestly, there were some mornings I just feel back asleep. But, when I did drag my butt out of bed I NEVER once regretted. The beauty I got to see and the ways Jesus met me were ALWAYS worth it.
There is something profoundly beautiful about rising up in darkness, when few other people are awake. Most people don't seem to want to actually be awake at this time in the morning. However, as I drive out to my favorite place my heart just fills with anticipation at what I might see. Every morning is different.
At the beginning of the sunrise I can't see the sun, all I can see it the light it is giving off. I usually sit safely in my car, as to not put myself in danger. (Running on the trails by myself in darkness is unwise...yes, mom and dad I do sometimes you listen to you guys) But, as I wait patiently the sun slowly begins to reveal itself. Then I get out of my car and begin running. As I run the sun begins to touch creation, shining it's warm light on all things created. It first touches the tips of trees and then trickles down the leaves and spills onto the flowers and prairie grass. Until the light has touched all things.
And I can't not help but see the beautiful picture this paints of the way I desire to live my life. To rise up and run with joyful anticipation into darkness. Having full confidence in the faithfulness of the God I serve to show up. That He will shine His light into the darkness, just like He has for millions of years before. Only at this time, for this day, I get to witness it. Oh, how I long to be a part of it- a part of such extraordinary beauty of bringing light into darkness. That is one of the deepest desires of my heart.
