REFLECTIONS
July 2, 2006
 
 
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
Isaiah 60:1
 
 
Arise
 
The blush of dawn blinks its sleepy eyes as it awakens from behind the hillside. Each blink seems to lift the soft rays of morning a little higher from behind the trees that silhouette the hilltop. In the stillness the arms of light stretch across the broad horizon while the lips of sunshine cast a warm smile calling, “Arise. I am the glory of God.”
The majesty of dawn. The stillness of air. The freshness of a new day. It is here that we begin in God’s glory as we capture a quiet moment in the sanctuary of God’s creation. It is a new beginning whether a moment, a day or an era. 
For most of us the dawn will bring freshness for work begun but unfinished. For some the morning will bring renewal to something started long ago. For some morning will inspire the pursuit of an old dream transformed into possibility. And for others it will be a call to walk with unclear steps down foggy pathways. But for all, the dawn offers a new adventure in the walk of life.
Soon the bustle of nature will fill the air exchanging the silence with lively noises that deafens the newness and diverts our awareness. How easily we are blinded to new paths that open before us. How willingly we cling to the bondage of yesterday. How stubbornly we grip the habits of our old ways. But how lovingly God awakens us to new beginnings. How precious the blessing is to play a part in new mysteries of his plan.
Everyday may not begin with such majesty, but every day does issue the same call. “Arise, shine, for your light has come.”  We must only answer the call.  God placed us in this world at this time and this place. It is all a part of his great plan. With each breath we take, word we speak, or step we travel the glory of the LORD will be with us.
Expectantly tomorrow will bring a new day. Yet, even in all of its brilliance we will awaken to the same call. “Arise for the golden smile of God rises upon you. Arise for today you are a beacon through which his glory shines. Arise…
 
“You are the light of the world.”
Richard Ì