Made Alive
“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.” (Ephesians 2:1-2)
What a beautiful sight to behold! As I was on my way to the office this morning I was anxiously watching the sky. I left home just about the time daylight was beginning to break through the darkness of the night. As I topped the first hill just outside the metropolis of Mira, I caught the first glimpse of a small elongated cloud as it hung with its lower extremities highlighted by the sun. What an awesome sight! One by one the clouds began to glow as the sun touched their neighbors. It seemed to me that each cloud brightened even more as it witnessed the glowing of each neighboring cloud. Soon the sky was all aglow as the blazing rays of the sun stretched its brilliant tentacles toward the west. People who sleep past daylight just do not know what they are missing.
I thought as I drove along, “What else do I need to begin a great day?” I even found myself slowing down a bit, especially on the hills, to allow myself time to take in a few more breathtaking moments. I knew that soon my eyes would be glued to a computer screen, a book, or the face of someone needing help. I soaked up all I could hold.
About six or seven miles from home, after watching intently to my left, I glanced to my right to make sure I wasn’t about to run over someone. Again I was awe stricken. Grazing silently in the still morning light was a herd of cattle. I would guess that there were about two hundred or so, give or take a few. That did not surprise me. But suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a little newborn calf dancing around its mother, sunlight beaming on its shining coat, legs wobbling and happy to be alive. This time I hit the brakes. Now something like that may not turn you on, but as far as I’m concerned, it would bring a tear to a glass eye.
This particular calf leaped and ran, stumbled and fell, got up and did it all over again. The brand new sun cast its brand new rays on his brand new black, brown and white hair. Suddenly, right there I realized that nature responds to life in an exciting way. While slowing down, my eyes ran across the pasture. Little calves were leaping everywhere. There was life out there, and it was there for all the world to see.
Sometimes I think that God must send the sun every morning just to remind us that life is there and that we are part of it. I wonder if we should not have the same response in the Church when the light comes on in our lives. When the “Son” comes up in our lives and when a new birth happens, shouldn’t we stand in awe at the power of God at work? Have we become so sleepy that we cannot awake to see the life God has given each of us. He delivered us from the womb of death, gave us a new birth with a living hope, lifted up His “Son” to shine and give us light. How can we help but run and play and be excited about life, just like that little calf?
Maybe if we would spend a little more time in the “Sonshine”, we might have more appreciation to God for making us alive. Who knows, the excitement might just be contagious.