Rise Up

“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.” Psalm 113:3

My son says I am the queen of metaphors.  So, imagine my delight when I woke up this morning to the colors of the rainbow smeared across the sky.  This stunning scene got me thinking about the sun.  It sets and rises simultaneously every second of every day somewhere in the world while constantly bursting forth life giving light.  We can see the sun’s beauty revealed as it sets and find joy in the warmth of its rays, especially after a cold day or a long winter.  More importantly, we enjoy life through the sun. It is essential for our very existence.  In other words, the earth, bound by the glory of the sun, would have no life without it.

(Metaphor alert) As Christians we too are sustained by The Son.  Luke 22:70 says, “‘Are You the Son of God?’ and Jesus said to them, ‘Yes, I AM.’”  Also, Hebrews 1:3 says, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”  Jesus, therefore, is the giver of life and, as we “spin” on our fleshly axis bound by this world and our physical bodies, the Son rises within us everyday.  Jesus also referred to Himself as The Life (John 14:6), The Light of the world (John 8:12), The Giver of Living Water (John 4:10) and The Bread of life (John 6:35;48) which are all forms of vital sustenance.  Therefore, what determines good fruit like joy, love and hope is purposefully soaking up The Light so He can shine through our brokenness.

Unfortunately, the last few days I have been scattered, anxious, distracted and overwhelmed because of the lack of time I have to complete my to-do list.  This myopic focus stole my joy and, quite frankly, made me unpleasant to be around.  I found myself stuck in a dark cave of self-imposed “to-do’s,” unable to see the distant future or focus on God, Who is the Light of the world AND The Giver of life.  Instead, I determined to master something I had absolutely no control over and fell into a well of hopelessness.  I needed a Son-bathing session which God graciously gave me this morning.  He gently “set my mind on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:2) re-calibrating my mind to His as He warmed my cold heart with the light of His Word.  After realizing this “light” deficiency in my spirit the following list of questions was birthed:

• Am I allowing the clouds of hopelessness to be blown aside by the Holy Spirit who fills me with the hope of the glory of God that does not disappoint, today? (Romans 5:2-5)
• Did I soak in the loving, healing rays of my LORD, Jesus, today?  (Psalm 147:3)
• Has my spiritual skin been changed by His Word to the point where I literally glow for Christ, today?  (Matthew 5:14-16)

My hope is that these questions will help you experience the amazing hues of God’s love for you on a daily basis.  So, the next time you see a gorgeous sunrise let it remind you that we are not bound by this world.  Rather, the life we have is in the eternal, powerful, magnificent, RISEN, Son of God!

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.  For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

Colossians 3:1-4