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REVELING IN GOD’S SUNSET
by
Steve Kinsey

We will frequently pause in the course of a long day to indulge in that, which provides us with a distraction from the mundane challenges of life. These pauses act to refresh and keep our emotions charged until the day’s conclusion. Practically everything we seek to enjoy is not a renewable resource but in time must be replaced. A television screen diminishes over time in brightness and our computers become obsolete with newer models. Even our sports hero’s abilities wane and new players must enter the game to maintain our interest. None of these indulgences can speak to us as meaningfully as what God provides for us each day.

Our dominant physical sense is sight. Most of what we learn from and enjoy is a myriad of visuals delights. Speech requires a thought process (or it should) before being implemented. Our hearing can be, figuratively speaking, turned off if interests wane. But our vision requires no mastery skills and is always focused.

Who has not been enthralled by the ever-changing majesty of an evening sunset? Whatever may occupy our day we can pause just long enough to witness God’s gift to us at twilight. The rapidly concluding day signals the approaching respite of night’s quiet solitude. Should one not awake from nights slumber their eyes have last delighted in what no man can neither deny nor create. It is only God’s to freely give and ours to delight in the Giver and His gift.

For me sunsets are God’s orchestration that visually affirms His presence and direction in my life: a magnificent symphony that can never be paralleled or equaled to what has occupied my attention during the day.

Age, position in life, trials and joys do not effect what we are given at twilight to be relished and enjoyed by those who would stop to cast their gaze toward the heavens. No eyes have ever seen God but we can feel a visual connection with Him through the evening sunset. It is presented to us freely without reservation.

Catawba is a partial Island landmass jutting out into the abundant sport fishing waters of Lake Erie. Fishing from its enormous state park pier is an angler’s delight. I cast my line into the water late one warm June afternoon just as the sun has positioned itself in the western sky. The sun’s ray’s danced a ballet while caressing the waters with glistening reflection as pleasure yachts glided past just beyond the fishing zone. Catching and then releasing the big one that didn’t get away is a bonus as I enjoyed the visual surroundings that I am a part of.

An hour or so before twilight a remarkable transformation took place on the pier. Those of us still fishing were quickly joined by a multitude of new arrivals with binoculars and cameras dangling loosely from their necks. They scurried about lugging folding chairs to be opened at their special sunset viewing spot. What held promise to be a splendid display was obscured at the eleventh hour by hazy passing clouds. Though disappointed the gathered multitude will return yet another day with a renewed anticipation of God’s visual delight.

God gives us a sunset everyday that reminds us of the awesome beauty in His creation and shows His unconditional love for you and me.