Sunsets Are Beautiful 

Sunsets are beautiful, aren’t they?!?!

From our patio window we get to watch God’s handiwork in the western sky as the sun goes down many days.  Reds, and oranges, and purples framing the tree line and houses in the distance.  And it seems to change as it goes along, those oranges deepen into reds over the course of time, and it gives an entirely different feel to the landscape.  Those reds fade into purples as the sun dips below the horizon providing even newer ways of seeing the panorama as if for the first time.

For those who are in their twilight years, I wonder how often we think about this time as being the sunset of our life?  It is often referred to in that manner by many in our society.  We are living our sunset years.  I suspect they mean that life slows down.  We can kick back to some degree and not have to worry about the daily pressures of job and family responsibilities.

But, as I was watching the latest sunset out our back door, I was reminded that God may have other plans.  He can use our “sunset years” to give this world a glimpse of His glorious handiwork.  Sure, we aren’t the spry individuals we once were (were we ever spry I wonder?). But God is able to take our small offerings and turn them into astonishing pieces of beauty.  We have time we didn’t once have.  We hopefully have wisdom that is sorely lacking in many circles today.  We also have a perspective on life from which others can now benefit.

What may have seemed like an impossibility – turning into our parents or grandparents – has perhaps now become our reality.  But that is because we have something to offer in this phase of life that God can use in staggering ways – see Moses or Caleb or Simeon or John.  Interestingly, we also can better see that it has never been about us or our effort even, it has been God who has chosen to accomplish His purpose and will through us.  And in this phase of life, that has never been more true.  “When I am weak, then I am strong.” II Cor. 12:10.

If we are willing to let Him have His way with us, I think it’s the perfect time to let others see that sunsets really are beautiful!