On The Horizon

Romans 13:12 -- "The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light."

It would probably cause more than one person to stand scratching his head with a huge expression of "she must be crazy" as I park the car in one of the many available spaces in a nearly vacant lot at the beach. A low mist still hung close to the pavement and my feet sloshed into one of the many puddles left by early morning rain. It's quite dark, as the sun - with more sense than I - is still fast asleep for another hour or so. But as I push my way past some overgrowth on the damp boardwalk to the sea shore, I smile at myself because I know that in mere moments, I will witness what I have come for.

Holding the camera steady, I adjust the aperture and shutter speed and wait patiently in the sand. Sure enough, minute streams of light begin to peak just over the horizon and before long, the beach is lit up with wonderful hues of orange, pink, and yellow. A new day is almost here - and I wanted to catch the birth of it with my camera lens.

No matter how many times I see it, the morning rise of the sun takes my breath away. There is something so peaceful and joyful about watching a new day begin - hope seems to bubble over and I can take a deep, deep breath - no matter what struggles may lay ahead of me in the hectic hours that follow.

I can see clearly now - the dark is gone.

Back home again and with strong coffee producing wisps of steam from the top of my favorite "Goofy" mug, I turn on the computer. The first thing that hits me is a news ticker indicating that "the west ponders how to stop or fight a new great war". Well, THAT sure does sound encouraging.

I am then hit with the realization that there is very little I can do about this situation, and the dark that was before the day break feels as if it's creeping back in around me. But I remember something said in Romans 13; the night is nearly over, the day is almost here. That IS encouraging. And not only do those words bring comfort but what shortly follows those words reminds me to put aside deeds of darkness. I don't have to worry about World War III and the eager political beavers that rattle sabers and fume in self-serving power struggles. The one thing about which I DO need to "worry" - is the work God has put before me in whatever short time I may have left.

I know what you're thinking - surly this verse is telling each of us to focus on the light of Jesus Christ and change the behaviors within ourselves that do not glorify God. You would be right. It DOES say that. I think it also might be reminding us to don ourselves in the armor of light IN SPITE of and maybe even BECAUSE of the dark deeds performed around us. After all, the night is almost over. Jesus IS going to come back for us. We WILL be reunited with our Father. It's just a matter of time.

IN that time - dear Lord, how may I be of service for You today?