As the summer heat is at last waning, this morning I succumbed to the urge to sit in the sun a bit. I soon found my mind wandering back to my youth when I was a typical sun-worshipper. Whether on a sandy beach or the splintery boards of our dock at the lake, I would carefully apply Coppertone to any exposed skin, checking the location of the glowing orb with a squint behind my sunglasses, then spread my towel at the perfect angle to capture the most direct rays. Today, as worship songs played on Pandora (Remember listening to your favorite AM station on the first transistor radios?), I turned my chair to the optimum angle and began thanking God for His amazing creation He gave us for our pleasure and His glory. I smiled at the twittering birds and breathed deeply of the gentle breeze whispering through leaves beginning to be tinged with a hint of autumn's yellow.
I soon realized how far I've come in two short weeks of seeking healing in Him alone. During that time, I haven't read one medical article aimed at fixing my mysterious illness. Instead, I have focused on His healing words in the Word He has given us through the prophets and teachers of old, His original followers who were inspired to record enduring messages of soul-healing for all of us throughout history. In this short time I have found myself smiling like I used to, laughing more, crying seldom, and frowning in pain hardly at all. I no longer beg God on a daily (or sometimes hourly) basis to take me out of this world of pain and sorrow. Instead, I thank Him for sparing me to live more fully, to laugh again with friends and family, to raise my hands and my voice in worship for the One Who gave His life that I might live fully, eternally.
"The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]." (John 10:10 AMP)
You may wonder what is my secret. It's really no secret at all: thanks to His mercy and the prayers of countless loved ones and even strangers, I'm remembering to turn toward the Son, the Sun of my soul, the Source of all creation, including you and me!
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control]." (2 Timothy 1:7 AMP)
As the wonderful old hymn admonishes us:
"O worship the King, all glorious above,
And gratefully sing His wonderful love;
Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days,
Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise!" (Robert Grant, 1785-1838)
Perhaps we can learn a lesson from the sunflowers, which do this naturally!
"He must increase and I must decrease."
John 3:30
✝️
