The Annoying Sun

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.   Isaiah 41:10

I am a sun lover.  I love to be in the sun and it takes a very high temperature and a lot of it for me to ever tire of it.  I love summer and spending time outside.  However, I have noticed sometimes that, even though I long for the sun when it is absent, sometimes I complain about it shining in my face.  This happens mostly in the morning.  That explains a lot but let me explain a little further. 

Often by the time I leave the house in the morning, I am not in a very spiritual mood.  I am grumpy and grumbling and usually as I come to the stop sign at the end of my street, the sun is just in the right position to shine right in my face…annoyingly.  In my head, and sometimes out loud, I grumble about the sun shining right in my face, when I don’t want it to!  From time to time that has made me think about the SON shining in our face…sometimes unwelcome. 

Even though it may be unwelcomed, when the sun shines in my face and I complain, there is always this small voice saying “How can you complain about the sun shining on you?  You love the sun and you should be grateful it is shining and it is not 30 degrees and raining!”  We should feel the same way when the Son shines in our face too.

The Merciful Son

As Christians, we have the great and wonderful gift of God’s mercy.  Even on the days when we don’t deserve it or don’t want it, He gives it.  For that, I am so grateful.  His mercies are new every morning and He loves us no matter what.  He pursues us and never gives up on us.  When we are rebellious children and He shines His light in our face and we reject it, He is still there.  Like the warm sun in the morning sky, we should embrace the light of Christ shining in our lives, exposing our wrong attitudes, actions, and words.  He loves us and His light is a gentle reminder compared to the consequences of sin.  As any loving father, God longs to protect us and beckon us back gently.  He doesn’t want us to be hurt by our sin.   But we are stubborn humans and we don’t like to be told that we need to stop what we are doing or change our behavior and attitude.  Fortunately God’s grace flows freely to us even when we don’t deserve it.  We don’t control the supply!  It is always sufficient. Enough! Plenty!  We will never lack for grace and mercy from God! 

So, don’t disdain the bright light of the Son shining in your face.  Don’t grumble and complain about a guilty feeling and wish Him away.  Pay attention to what He is saying to you and trying make you see.  Remember that He has your best interest in mind and He loves you more than anyone else.  He isn’t out to make your life boring or keep you from having a good time.  He is out to protect you and to remind you that He is there, by your side, in your face, all the time.  Turn to the light and trust His promises.  What a blessing!

Scripture to Claim
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.  Deuteronomy 31:8