I chased a sunrise the other day.
It was a clear morning, the first in many days, and I knew God was about to put on a good show. Not wanting to miss a minute of it, I laced up my shoes and headed out the door.
With my eyes on the sky, I briskly wound my way through the streets that I knew would take me to the place holding the best first glimpses of the morning light. I’d seen the sun ascend there many times before, but for some reason, the desire to witness it that morning was particularly intense.
Finally arriving at the perfect place, I stopped and simply stared at the rising sphere of light slowly coloring the sky. I took a few pictures and blessed God for the beauty of a new morning.
And that was it.
I don’t exactly know what I was expecting, but no profound thoughts flooded my mind. No epiphanies dawned on me. No voices from within whispered any words.
Yet as I continued my walk, my heart felt full. Alive. Curiously, the simple act of staring at the beautiful sunrise was enough, and it satisfied my soul.
I wonder if this is what David had in mind when he wrote of his greatest desire in Psalm 27:4: (CSB) “to dwell in the house of the LORD … gazing on the beauty of the LORD.”
It seems David experienced soul satisfaction in the simple act of staring at the Lord’s beauty and splendor. But too often, when I “gaze at God” in my quiet time, I’m only looking for thoughts to jot down, Bible verses to highlight, or answers to settle my questions. When this is the case, my soul can lack freshness and life.
When I slow down and sometimes set the pen aside to gaze at the beauty of God like I would a glorious sunrise, catching by faith’s eye the colorful display of His splendor, I am transformed. My soul fills, comes to life, and finds joy.
Psalm 16:11 reminds us, “In [God’s] presence is abundant joy” (CSB).
This makes me think there are times when our souls don’t need more information, documentation, or memorization. Maybe they just need more admiration. Admiration of the One whose magnificence and majesty alone is enough to satisfy our souls.
Is your soul feeling empty or running low on joy today? Take some time to pause. Sit and stare at the radiant beauties of the Lord, and allow Him - all of who He is - to freshen and fill your soul.
Father, I confess how often I allow the things of earth to steal my gaze. Thank You for faithfully drawing me back to You to behold Your beauty. You truly are the only wonder that satisfies and fills my soul. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
- Michelle Snippe
Provided by "Proverbs 31 Ministries"