Chasing the Sunrise

I’m hunting the sunrise, meeting it headfirst. Soft blue turns a brilliant red at the horizon as the sky is set afire by the rising sun. From thousands of feet in the air, the sunrise takes on a spectacular new hue.

After color, the perspective strikes me next. How often have I looked down upon the sunrise? How many times have I stood above and beckoned the sun come? I’ve stayed up all night, and now sleep is far from my mind as I watch a glowing orb slowly emerge from beneath the horizon.

But this morning, sitting aboard a 737 hurtling east toward my future, it is fitting that all would seem new. Behind me are friends, school, family, and home. Ahead of me are three years of law school, bringing new challenges as yet unimagined.

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Now the whole sky has reinvented itself. Instead of a darkness punctuated by a flaming red horizon, all approaches white. Clouds obscure the ground and the baby blue sky is so pale as to be nearly an eggshell shade.

The nose of the plane angles right into the sun; I can only imagine how it feels for the pilot to stare straight ahead as it rises. I can’t see the sun, but as C.S. Lewis put it, I see everything by its light. Sitting directly over one of the engines, I watch it turn all manner of color as the sun continues to rise. What started a smoldering shade of red is now a brilliant orange moving towards the sun’s normal yellow glow.

Nearly every passenger has their windows covered and their headphones on. Several doze while others wait for their drink to arrive. How, with such a majestic view, has no one seemed to come alive? The scene begs to be appreciated. How did David put it? The skies declare His glory; all the stars scream out His praise. The one star I can see this morning proclaims that man is not the grandest part of the universe. One far greater speaks to me through the sunrise, declaring that He is worthy and I am earthly.

All my pride crumbles and is finally revealed as folly. Why would I hide from the one who calls forth the sun and commands that it rise? How could I ever imagine Him ignorant of my rebellion? Is it not foolish to defy His call to honor and obey?

Humble me, Father, for I am a wicked and proud man. I have exulted in my sin, pretending to be free of guilt. You have known my heart and felt the hidden shame. Forgive me, not because I’m worthy, but for Your name’s sake. Thank You for declaring me safe in Christ for I have no hope apart from Him. I need Him so much more than I ever realize. Thank You for beautiful reminders. Thank You for delivering grace once more to a fallen man.

Tags: future, pride, sunrise