Tag: Sunset

Why Are We Drawn to the Horizon?

Scripture

Sunrises and sunsets are magical somehow. We photograph them and don’t particularly care to get friends and family into these pictures. From a far away perspective, that impressive border between the outermost layer of a celestial body and its sky captures photographers, both professionals and amateurs. With the help of smart phone cameras, we breathe in the majesty of these moments like nothing else.

Is it the lifting of our hearts to worlds beyond, or the beauty of the brightest star, or the idea of heaven that transports us to that dazzling display of color and wonder? It might just be the shadow image that makes our hearts know for certain that Creator God is the accomplished Artist Who knows that we can glimpse His glory a tiny bit more as we take in such scenes.

Why do we reserve Airbnbs with a view? Why do we take our kids to Grand Canyon? Why do we sit on porches looking at mountains? Why is the beach one of the happiest places? The horizon is always magnetic! When on my favorite cruise line, one of my preferred places (actually called “Horizons”) has been the top level lounge that looks out over the ocean facing forward. What a vantage point! The wonder, the expanse, the endlessness, the splendor! These are all attributes that hint at an even more wonderful, magnificent and splendorous Creator God. Really, there is no other rational place for the mind and heart to go.

Psalm 19:1-6 says, “To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving His chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.”

God does not hide Himself. He speaks personally through Creation. The universe is a silent sermon all its own. Sunrises and sunsets are the bursts of created majesty that confirm that God is good and that He has much to say about His own goodness. The brilliant colors are only a whisper of His majesty. The rhythm of our days and nights message God’s order and pattern imprinted on Creation. The variety seen on the horizon – no two sunsets alike and no two sunrises alike – persuades us that diversity and uniqueness happen by God’s amazing design.

Beach Vespers

Scripture
Photo credit: Sasha Martynov

I am blessed to have a close circle of friends, sisters-in-Christ, who I like to refer to as the “Outer Banks Girls.” We were in Bible study together years ago, got busy with kids and careers and scattered a bit, had a reunion in 2011 at Kill Devil Hills, and then reunited more and more often since then. We now go to the beach together twice per year, once in the fall, and once in the spring, for an entire week.

The beach week. It is more than a retreat. It is a time for renewal and spiritual strengthening, as well as a time for rest and getting away from it all. Our beach trips have evolved and now include a time for Vespers sometime after the evening meal. This includes the lighting of a candle and some readings of scripture. I have pondered that few sacred minutes, the meaningfulness of winding down a day this way before the Lord, and I offer this anthology of meaningful words as one pattern inspired by our time at the beach.

Beach Vespers

Psalm 50:1 “The Mighty One, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.” Psalm 113:3 “From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised.”

(Every Moment Holy Vol. 1, For Arriving at the Ocean) “We have traveled this day to the bounding sea, O Lord, to the far edge of the habitable land, as to the utter end of our own measure and ability and strength, to find here reminders of Your limitless presence extended immeasurably beyond us.” Isaiah 40:12 “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance?”

(VV, Praise & Thanksgiving) “When I think upon and converse with Thee, ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up, ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed, ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart, crowding into every moment of happiness.” Psalm 98:5-8 “Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord! Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it! Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together.” (HYMN or Scripture Song here)

So, as this day nears its end, (Valley of Vision, Third Day Evening) “May our conscience be clear, our hearts pure, our sleep sweet! And with the innumerable company who neither slumber nor rest we join in ascribing blessing, honour, glory and power to the Lamb upon the throne, for ever and ever.” Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”(EMH, The Hours: Nightfall) “Here at day’s end we seek You, O King of Earth and Heaven. You have been our sustenance across the sunlit hours. Be now our Counselor, Comforter, and Protector in the dark of night.”

Psalm 141:2 “Let my prayer be counted as incense before You, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” Psalm 77:6 “…’Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.’ Then my spirit made a diligent search.” And I find you, Lord! Malachi 1:11 “For from the rising of the sun to its setting My Name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to My Name, and a pure offering. For My Name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.”

(EMH, The Hours: Evening) “Retire now, you children of God, contemplating His words and resting in the peace of the surety of the love He has extended to you in Christ. Know this night the comfort of His Spirit, Who ever abides in and among us,…”

Amen.