Sunrise

Beginning with it peaking over Burningtree Mountain and illuminating its brilliance on a sleepy small town, I watched the sunrise Sunday morning. I could feel peace in my heart as I watched God seemingly paint the sky in brilliance ~ golden orange, peach, multi shades of blue and gold... with a sprinkling of clouds to even more reflect the light and add to the brilliance.

And my mouth softly praised, “Amazing!”

As I took in God’s creativity, my heart began to pray... reminded of the beginning of a prayer the prophet Habakkuk once prayed

Lord, I have heard of your fame;
    I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord.
Repeat them in our day,
    in our time make them known;
    in wrath remember mercy.” - Habakkuk 3:2 NIV

As the sunrises today over this rain-soaked town, I see a world in need... and in need of a Savior. I see a nation slowly fading from its “Christian” values and becoming more and more focused  on itself and its own “greatness” ~ relying more and more on its own strength and abilities, relying more and more on its own creations (whether it be government or corporations, programs or stability), and relying less and less on God. I see a world, a nation, a people panicked and afraid yet still in reliance on themselves, their wits, their strength, their abilities to somehow fight and overcome a pandemic.

And I pray that prayer again:

Lord, I have heard of your fame;
    I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord.
Repeat them in our day,
    in our time make them known;
    in wrath remember mercy.

And I turn back to the sunrise and see the renewing... the coming of a new day. A new dawn. A new beginning. A new day to bring all glory and honor and praise to the One who deserves such praise - The Lamb of God, the Creator of the Universe, the Savior of the World. 

And I pray for a renewing, an awakening, a revival, a time when we seek God and we find Him. A time when we humble ourselves and pray… and He hears His people and heals this land.

And my heart sings... and my knees bow down.

O Lord, we need you more than we need the sunrise. We need your touch. We need your healing. We have read of your great wrath against those who turn and go their own way, of nations that turn from your principles and precepts. O Lord, have patience with us. We know of your great love. Help us find our way back to you. Lead us. Lead our nation. Lead our world. Strengthen our resolve. Lead us back to you, O Lord, lead us back to you.

Keep the Faith... Carpe Diem