“Spirituality of a Sunrise” by Wesley Spears
On a southern November morning, I was lured outside by tolerable temperatures and the mystique of the pre-dawn gray light. Accompanied by breakfast and coffee, I rocked gently in our backyard swing and beheld the advance of daylight across the sky. I faced west. As the sun rose to my back, my mind and imagination were led into wondrous thoughts and considerations of Christ and His Church.
We are like patches of cloud, pink with reflection of the coming sun, and contrasting the roiling gray of our fellow clouds around us. Some of us are outposts among the vast gray chaos, faint beacons of the imminent light. Some of us blaze and some of us fade in due course. There is a majestic center of reflection, directly west – a beautiful orange and pink mixture of intricate layers, softened edges, and smoky swirls. All of this is on display due to the yet unseen sun. The colorful clouds can take no credit for the light they reflect. Like them, we can only say that we see the Light. Or, rather, the Light has shone on us.
As the sun itself crests the eastern horizon and ascends to its heavenly throne, all the dawn colors are replaced by white – the fullness of purifying light. All is laid bare, and none can deny the reality and glory of such revelation (Phil 2:10-11).
Later that morning:
Fully risen, the morning sun blazed with a piercing silver light through a patchwork of clouds. Breathtaking rays reaching down from heaven moved me to worship. I asked God for a song with which to praise Him. He gave me unique words and a tune for that moment alone, and I relished that in His presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). Receiving this gift also moved me into fellowship – a sunrise is something to share. Excitedly relishing the morning experience with two dear friends reminded me that worship is not only vertical but also a horizontal experience. Like the clouds, we are living life together in light of God’s power.
Such was the blessedness of being awestruck by a sunrise.
This experience prompted me to think that ten minutes of vulnerability before such a routine display of God’s creative power might enhance our spiritual lives more than another book, conference, or study. These activities, while good, may not raise our gaze high enough. In them, like in the rest of life, we tend to focus on our own effort and contribution. We tend to look at other people, wishing we were more – or less – like them. We huddle in rooms to create new experiences or to learn new personal applications. All the while, the Creator beckons to us to see what He has already done all around us, independent of our participation.
I do not mean to overstate the magic of natural beauty or limit where God might meet you. Not every sunrise is so moving, and sometimes sleep is truly more wondrous than seeing the sunrise. However, God seems to think highly of his creation, and has imprinted deep lessons into observing it (Romans 1:20). It seems foolish that our society and daily rhythms are structured so as to miss such consistent invitational communication from our Maker. And how many other wonders are out there to receive if we might but take the time to partake of good gifts? May we not underestimate what He has already given, nor the power of paying attention. May we be awestruck, letting our hearts be tuned to what might be revealed in the midst of such splendor.
May we watch more sunrises.
Written by Wesley Spears ~
Wes Spears hopes that his words and his life uniquely reflect God’s truth and beauty. Or, in the words of Jonathan McReynolds, “May your whole life prove that God is good.”
An adopted child of God, husband to an amazing woman, and father of the undeniably cutest kids, Wes’s life is filled with undeserved grace. His favorite things include good friends, good stories, and good adventures.
You can check out other things he’s written at experience-of-grace.com.
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