This Is Where Everything Changed

This Is Where Everything Changed

Friday, December 16, 2011

The True Light is Already Shining

1 John 2:8 At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is
true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already
shining.


About this time of year, myself and my fellow workers at the Idaho National Laboratory enter
what we lovingly call the “dark ages.” We leave home and arrive at work in the dark of early
morning. Then we leave work and arrive home in the dark of early evening. This period of darkness
is longer and longer until the arrival of the Winter Solstice (December 22.) The Solstice signals to
all that the period of darkness is going to start becoming shorter and shorter until we actually see
daylight when arrive at home. As the days get longer we have the opportunity to see some spectacular
sunrises and sunsets during our commute.


There is something about a sunrise that really appeals to me. Granted, working a 4 X 10 schedule I have many opportunities to see sunrises. The trouble is that on my days off my internal alarm clock goes off early in the morning and I am up to see the sunrise.  I used to fight this until I discovered that the rising of the sun was actually the best time of day for me to spend in study, prayer, meditation and writing. I have a picture of a chair that is beachside at a resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  During my last vacation there I enjoyed the early morning hours reading the bible, praying, meditating and writing. I guess you could call it my happy place. That picture is now the background on my work and home computers. The picture serves as a daily reminder to me of the importance of the need to return to that place. Even if it is only in my mind, it is important.  For in that place three very important things happened. First, the rising sun reminded me that Jesus is returning. Secondly, with the dawn of day comes the ability to see clearly the beauty of God’s creation.  And lastly the beauty of the seaside, and serenity found in that chair by the sea, allowed me to connect with God in a manner that I seldom find in my busy world. The opportunity for me to study the bible, pray, meditate and write was golden and I cherish it deeply. For me Cabo is not just a place to party, vacation and have a great time. It is an awesome place for quiet reflection and study. 

Do you have what equates to my chair by the seaside in Cabo? Do you have a place where you can go to be still and know that He is God? (Psalms 46:10) If not, I suggest that you need to set about finding that place. We all need to find the opportunity to come to our Father in study of His Word, to pray to Him, to think, and reflect. We need to be able to look with anticipation to the rising of the sun and the return of the Son of God. Friends, please do not put this off. Just go do it!

PRAYER: Our Father in heaven. Hallowed is Your name. Mighty is Your strength. Help us to find within ourselves the discipline to keep You first in our thoughts of our day. Guide us in our studies of Your Word. Help us to shut out the distractions, and the darkness so that we might be able to focus on the light that is the life of all men. Help us to fix our eyes on Jesus. Amen

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