Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Why Does God Do Sunsets?


Up and down the beach as far as I could see, folks were gathered, all looking west. All in awe as the sun plunged into the water and splashed yellow, orange and red.
This same sun, this same ocean, has done this same thing, every day for thousands of years, and still, here we are…still in awe. We all watch, thousands of us, up and down the shore, as the finger of God fills His canvas of sky and sea, with yet another, one of a kind, masterpiece.
And just think, as He painted for us a sunset, He was also painting a sunrise, for someone else. Like He’s done, everyday, since the dawn of time. Undeniable proof of His awesome, consistent, presence.
Thousands of phones were held overhead, snapping photos and videos of the water and sky in the west. 
With every picture I was amazed at the speed in which the sun dove into the sea.
Doesn’t it travel the same speed at noon as when it rises and sets?
Why does it seem to hang in the middle of the day? But then sprint to cross the horizon?
Why do we think in the middle of life, we have all the time in the world? In the middle of school, the closing bell will never ring? At work, the quitting whistle will never blow?
At sunset, in that moment, near the end, folks focus. It becomes clear, our days are numbered. The clutter and litter falls away and only what really matters, matters. 
As the last ray of sun splashed quietly into the sea, at that moment, we were all focused on one thing. Whether we knew it or not, whether we’d admit it or not…we were in unity. With one voice and heart we were in awe of the handiwork of God.  Standing there, barefoot in the sand, in the afterglow of the sun, with night falling fast, we were one. Color, race, age, social or political status, none of it mattered— we were all in awe of our Creator’s creation.
I looked from the water to the heavens and smiled. I’m pretty sure, God was smiling, too. When I looked at all the people looking toward the heavens, I think He might’ve whispered, “That’s why I do this.”
Imagine Jesus standing on this shore, looking into heaven and praying for us, just like He did in John 17:
Jesus looked up to heaven and said… ‘I have given them the glory You gave Me, so they may be one as We are one. I am in them and You are in Me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that You sent Me and that You love them as much as You love Me.” (John 17:1, 22-23)
His prayer and desire continue to be the same; that we’d be one, with Him. 
The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known.They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. (Psalm 19:1-4)
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)









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