We were very lucky to have this view of Mount Vesuvius from our holiday villa recently. There were many stunning sunsets viewed from the veranda whilst sipping something cool and refreshing. The sunrise was taken on our last morning as we had to leave around 5am in order to get to the airport on time.
This view reminded me of the hymn “I watch the sunrise” STF 469, often sung at funerals, or as a blessing. Each verse starts with the position of the sun through the day, and has a chorus reminding us that God is always close to us, always interested in what we are doing, and with a plea to which we can only aspire, to be close to God and to follow His ways.
I watch the sunrise lighting the sky…,
But you are always close to me
Following all my ways.
May I be always close to you
Following all your ways, Lord.
I watch the sunlight shine through the clouds…,
I watch the sunset fading away….,
I watch the moonlight guarding the night….
There are times in our lives when we are just starting out, things seem exciting, fresh, vibrant, just like the early morning sunrise. Other times we might feel the clouds of doubt, or the greyness of boredom or complacency. Yet the sun is still there behind the clouds. God is still there. There may be times when we feel we have given all we can, and there is an opportunity to reflect on how God has worked in our lives, as we gaze at the sunset.
And lastly there are times when we have to say goodbye to the sun, as the sun has set and the moon rises. But remember the moon is only visible because it is reflecting the sun. We may say goodbye to loved ones, but we can be comforted by the knowledge that they are now with God in the glory of heaven, with his sunlight reflecting back to us all that they have meant to us.