About a year or two ago, I became obsessed with watching the sun rise in the mornings. Luckily, I have a perfect view of the sunrise from a window in our bedroom. Something about the beauty of a new day allowed me to connect with God in a new way. The colors that painted the sky could only be the work of the Creator. Being present in the moment as the sun reached the sky gives me a new hope, peace, and confidence. I take pictures whenever I can to savor the feeling of that moment. In one of my posts on social media of a sunrise I wrote, " If God creates something so beautiful and so perfect, He for sure can finish what he started in me!"
It has always been sunrises for me but since the death of my brother, I have been drawn to sunsets. I have always thought sunsets were beautiful of course, but I guess I never put forth effort or was interested in them like I was sunrises. But in these last few months, I have noticed them much more and they have spoken to my heart. I just happen to witness sunsets more often lately without even trying and I have been learning so much from them.
I recently traveled to California for work and while I was there, I caught some of the most incredible sunsets I have ever witnessed. Instead of the rising sun bringing a hope and peace to my heart, it has been the setting of the sun that has given me insight and hope as I navigate a difficult season of life. In the last four months, five people who I love and cared about deeply died. This includes my brother who I still can't believe is gone... It still feels unreal. I believe that nothing is coincidental and that there is purpose and reason behind all things, even if I don't understand or know what the reason is. I don't think it is a coincidence that as I navigate death and grief, revelation has come through sunsets.
Transition
Change can be very difficult and hard to understand...especially when it is unwanted and feels forced. No matter if change is invited or un-welcomed, we have a choice in how we experience change in our lives. We can embrace the change and allow it to bear fruit in our lives or we can reject it and spend our lives fighting something that will happen regardless. There will always be change – it is the only constant we can guarantee. The impact change brings to our lives is dependent of our response to it.
Be still.
For me, the scariest part about being in the dark is not being able to see what exists around me...the unknown. As we approach dark seasons in our lives, the unknown can be terrifying and debilitating. Something about a sunset reminds me to breathe even as I approach darkness because I can be confident that the light that lives on the inside of me will illuminate the darkness around me. The world tells me that as darkness approaches I should be fearful, anxious, and hopeless but I know that does not have to be my reality. Although, I may not be able to see in the dark, if I am still and calm I can rely on my hearing to help guide me through.
In your dark season, what is being said that you are missing because you are too afraid to be still?
The Promise.
Weeping may last through the night but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5
This Scripture has come to mind a lot over the past few months. I know on the other side of this darkness there will be light. Morning will come when the birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and joy will fill the air. Sometimes it feels like as soon as I think the morning has come, the darkness falls again. Regardless of when the morning will come, I can hold on to the promise that it WILL come. Dark seasons DO come to an end!
The moon exists.
One of the most encouraging images for me is seeing the moon shining in the darkness. This is such a good reminder for me that God is with me- even in the dark. There are times where you may not be able to see the moon, maybe its covered by fog or clouds but one thing we know is that it is there. Even when I can't see God, I know He is there. Maybe for you, it is a reminder of something else that encourages you. Either way, know you are not in complete darkness... The moon exists.
I think what has been the biggest revelation and most encouraging is that no matter what season you are in, in life - there is beauty in both the sunrise and the sunset. We can easily miss the opportunity to appreciate and admire the beauty that exists in our lives in any season we may be experiencing.
What beauty and opportunities for growth are you missing because you are not looking for them? What do you need to let go of to make space for true joy that can exist among the pain?
Luckily- you have the best view in the house!
In Love & Light,
Jaralyn Roberts