Messy Sunrises

The home I moved into in January has huge east-facing windows in the living room and dining room which make perfect opportunities to watch some gorgeous sunrises as I get ready for each day.  Something has always bugged me though.  Even this morning I found myself saying that I wish I could go somewhere else nearby to watch a sunrise without all the other “stuff” in the way.  You see, in addition to the gorgeous oranges and reds turning into yellows and eventually simple bright light that can be sighted out my windows, you also see powerlines, a broken fence, a few stores, a busy street full of cars, and parking lot lights across the street.

I reminisce of camp days where the sunrises were framed by nothing but trees, hills, and clouds… perhaps a few deer.  I long for those days where the busyness of life was shut out, at least for those few moments, and God’s glory was astounding and unavoidable.

But after witnessing many sunrises in this house, I’m starting to prefer it this way; it feels more real.

Yes, it’s gorgeous.  Yes, it’s a new day.  Yes, God is here.  Even with the broken fences and distracting powerlines of life.  Things aren’t “picture perfect” but God still longs for His glory in each day to be astounding and unavoidable.  As we travel in our cars on the busy Blvd or do everyday chores like shopping, when things don’t go the way we hope or the “parking lot lights” of culture try to distract from the very radiance of the Son… in all of that, God is here and he is enough.

Sure, gorgeous sunrises in remote countryside are great, but why not celebrate ones like this as well, what a beautiful, consistent reminder of our God who loved us enough to come to earth and wake up to messy sunrises day after day, Who CHOSE all that instead of the picture perfect ones, Who chose that in order to restore us one day to a life filled with perfection.  Let’s praise Him with each new day we have!

“The sun comes up; it’s a new day dawning.
It’s time to sing Your song again.
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me,
Let me be singing when the evening comes!

Bless the Lord, Oh my soul! Oh, my soul!
Worship His holy name!
Sing like never before, Oh, my soul!
I’ll worship Your holy name!”
~ Matt Redman – 10,000 Reason