Sunday mornings begin early. Gary and I typically leave our home by 6:25am in order to arrive to Sammy and Emily’s home by 7am. Sammy and Emily leave for their work responsibilities at The Bridge Church, and we enjoy Eve and Ellie with cuddles, breakfast, and play before getting ready for church. The girls and I then enjoy an adventurous 10-minute walk to church around 10:15am.
Needless to say, I witness the sunrise most Sunday mornings on my drive. I notice the ways the dark sky shifts into dawn, followed by the bright orange sunbeams rising over the horizon of the earth’s surface. The rays of the sun penetrate the dark sky hitting the shadows, and brightening a new day, a fresh start.
Sunrise – The time in the morning when the sun appears or full daylight arrives. The colors and light visible in the sky on an occasion of the sun’s first appearance in the morning.
The power of the first sunrise in creation (Genesis 1:3-19) must have left an indelible mark upon the Trinity. I wonder if Jesus lived with an affinity for the sunrise? Jesus often withdrew while it remained dark to pray with the Heavenly Father. He communed with the Father through the darkness into the burst of light beaming from the sunshine. What if the sunrise brought about a deep inner contentment within Jesus connecting His humanity, life on earth, with His divinity, life beyond the earth?
Matthew 21:17-18 – And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night. Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry.
Mark 1:35 – Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed., Luke 6:12-13 – One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles
Luke 21:37-38 – Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.
Can you imagine the first time the sun broke through the dark sky, illuminating the horizon? Daydream about all the hues of orange, yellow, and red rising over the Eden land.
I envision the Trinity celebrating the delight and majesty of the glow of the sunrise. This part of creation, under God’s design, draws us to Himself, reminding us of His greatness, consistency, and loving presence. During His time on earth, I picture Jesus savoring time with the Heavenly Father before daybreak and then cherishing the crack of dawn and gift of light in one another’s presence. I think part of the reason Jesus enjoyed long late nights with the Father was because He enjoyed the anticipation of the early morning sunrise together.
Watching the morning first light together, the Father, Son, and Spirit, enjoyed sweet fellowship and intense communion. How do we discover and delight in God in the sunrise? In what ways does God invite each of us to experience Him more fully by relishing in a sunrise?
As the light of the sun infiltrated the the evening sky, Jesus moved intention into the day. He taught the Scriptures (Luke 21:38), called His disciples (Luke 6:12-13), accepted direction (Mark 1:35-38), and received nourishment (Luke 5:16) for the path before Him. Those early morning hours of daybreak sustained Jesus.
How might the break of dawn with God nourish your soul for the day ahead?
Jesus described Himself as the bright “Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16). I sense a deep connection linking the morning sunrise within the Trinity. How do I discover more of myself with God as I gaze upon a sunrise? How about you?
Meet the bright Morning Star as you begin your day, communing with the Trinity, and receiving the grace of God for the path before you.
This week – – –
Reflect. What character traits of God stir within you as you consider the magnitude and beauty of the sunrise? For me, I recognize God‘s faithfulness, provision, creativity, presence, trustworthiness, dependability, goodness, and love. Explore who God is and how He invites you to experience Him more fully by watching the sunrise.
Request. Meet the bright Morning Star as you begin your day. Perhaps experiment with the rhythm of early morning prayer, Scripture reading, or silence with God as the night gives way to the dawn. Receive the care of the Holy Spirit to your soul. God likes to be with you and designed the sunrise to be enjoyed together. Commune with your Heavenly Father just as Jesus did, through the dark of night into the bright light of the dawn of a new day.
Receive. Get up early one day this week to watch the sun rise. Imagine the deep communion Jesus enjoyed with the Heavenly Father in that space. Marvel at the character of God as you take in the beauty and goodness before you. What does the rising of the sun evoke within you? Live in awe and wonder of the God of the universe.
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Drips from the Word: Muse about these Bible verses. Let these truths impact your living.
Revelation 21:16 – “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.
2 Peter 1:19 – We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
Splashes from the Spigot: Drink from deep wells. Read these recommended books to fill your soul.
Breck England. The Bright and Morning Star: Finding and Following Jesus in the Book of Revelation. 2023.
Emily Ley. Sure as the Sunrise: 100 Morning Meditations on God’s Mercy and Delight (A 100-Day Devotional). Colorado Springs, CO. 2022.
Sprinklings of Truth: Soak in meaningful songs. Check out these music videos to lift up your spirit.
Eagle Brook Music. See It In The Sunrise (Live – This Is My Hope). Click here to watch & listen.
River Valley Ages. Sunrise. Click here to watch and listen.
Puddles for Prayer: Thank you for praying for upcoming travel and speaking engagements.
April 24-May 3 – Lviv, Ukraine – Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary, The Care of Souls. upfmissions.org
May 18-22 – Littleton, CO – Denver Seminary, Certificate in Spiritual Direction Cohort
May 30-June 13 – Quarryville, PA – Black Rock Retreat, Summer Camp Staff Training
July 6-10 – Littleton, CO – Denver Seminary, Certificate in Spiritual Direction Cohort
July 13-21 – Kigali, Rwanda – Soul Care Retreat and Training, Life Link Rwanda
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