You Can’t Borrow a Sunrise

My brother often gifts me with a picture he has taken of a gorgeous sunrise coming up over the lake behind his house. His early morning texts boast such depth and beauty and always brighten up my day. Last year I visited him and took in one of those sunrises in person. I rocked on his porch with the warmth of a hot cup of coffee toasting my hands and watched the light show begin as the first morning sun emerged. I heard the bird’s morning song and felt the breeze blow on my face

That morning the sunrise belonged to me. And that’s when I realized you can’t borrow a sunrise.

Every time I go through a dark period in life, there is a point where I get a glimpse of the sunrise. A ray of hope that things are going to get better. That yesterday’s normal may never return, but the new normal is about to shine through. In those times, friends and family offer encouragement from their sunrise experiences. “I did this and maybe it will help you too.” “Things are going to get better.” I have appreciated the support, but learned I can’t borrow their sunrises.

If you are going through one of those night seasons, I can’t loan you my sunrise, but I can offer three things you can do while waiting on your own to peek through. It’s what the Psalmist David did.

I rise early, before the sun is up;

            I cry out for help

And put my hope in your words. [NLT, Psalm 119:147]

1)    First you must get up. Wake up from the dark dread that you’ve been living in. You may feel like you can barely put one foot in front of the other, but keep moving. Stand. Drink some coffee. Speak to someone. Venture out. Push yourself to start doing something that you used to do.

2)    Next you have to ask for help. The fiber of our human support networks strengthen when you ask for specific things you need. “A hot meal for dinner tomorrow would be fantastic.” “Could you arrange for someone to mow my lawn?”  “I’m calling to make an appointment for counselling.” Put your pride down and ask for the help you need. But much more importantly for the believer is to ask God for help. He is the source of our strength, our healer and provider. But He likes us to ask in order to show we trust Him.

3)    And then put your hope in Him. Learn His Word and put your hope in that. “Know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” [Rom 8:28] “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” [Matt 19:26, Mark 10:27, Luke 18:27] “Hide me in the shadow of your wings.” [Ps 17:8] Find your key scripture for your situation that speaks to you where you are. Then hang every hope on it.

You can’t borrow someone else’s sunrise, but you will have your own. Get up, ask for help, and put your hope in God. He’s working on a sunrise crafted just for you.