The Most Beautiful Time

City Park at Sunset,
taken by Mallory Moran

There is a certain angle of the sun which vividly reveals the splendor of the world to me. As the sun sets, the richness of color and shadow and painted sky transform everything around me. (I suppose it happens in the morning too, but I'm rarely awake to enjoy it.)

The world is washed with a light that is more golden than white. Even the factory and refinery near our home become beautiful at this time of day.  I absolutely love it.

There are times when I have been stalled in traffic, irritable and tired, and then I see the light spreading across the buildings, or dappling the ground under a boulevard of trees. Something in me lightens too, and I am filled with appreciation.

Last evening, I walked down a busy street, strewn with trash and speeding cars, and the light lifted my head to see an amazing sky set off by the autumn leaves. It made me smile involuntarily. So very beautiful. It is my favorite time of day.

It never gets old.  I've come to realize that this appreciation is directed at God, who makes such beautiful moments. It is worship-- a response to yet another of the good and perfect gifts that he lavishes on me.

It's pretty amazing when I think about it. Here I am, head down, rushing someplace or doing something, and then he opens my eyes to see this beauty around me. He breaks into my rapid thoughts and pace and gives me the gift of colorful light. My world is paused for while, and I connect with him in the midst of "to-do" lists and urgent demands.

He loves me through beauty. I am filled with joy, and the joy is worship turned back to him, and I enjoy the worship because worship is full of joy... and well, I realize that this is the sweetness of having God as papa.

He tells us in his Word that we are rejoice in him always, and we think of worship as a duty and "right" behavior.  What we don't realize is that he knows we are really made for it, and that when we worship, we are filled with joy. It is communion with him. Love that flows back and forth, originating from him and reverberating back from us. I am so alive in those beautiful times, so full of thanksgiving.

Part of the beauty of the moment is that nothing has changed in my circumstances. I am still in traffic, still on a dirty street. I still have to return to the mess of a difficult relationship or financial worry. Nothing has changed except my heart awareness.  My soul is made lighter in communion with God, regardless of the life struggle.  Some folks would say it's "transcending" above circumstances, but I think it's more of a reality check than transcendence. He stops my stream of busyness to remind me of who he is, who I am, and what is really important.

I've been told before that I see things differently than other people. True. Perhaps that is why I am an artist instead of an engineer.  But that makes these moments even more sweet to me. God shares intimacy with me in the way that fits me best.  That is yet another wonderful part about having God as papa. He knows what will resonate with me.

It will be different for another of His children. Maybe it will be the face of one's child, the sound of laughter or fine music, perhaps the elegance of a mathematical equation, or the perfect structure of a cell that brings a person to appreciative, thankful worship.  It is not the same for you and me. We have an amazing, singularly attentive Father God.

I am curious to know what brings you to the place of joy and gratitude. I hope you experience it often.  May the eyes of your heart be opened to the intimate gifts God is giving you today.

It is so sweet to enjoy the Lord. Come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!