Here Comes The Sun

There is something about the sun. 

 

We, in Britain, are relatively sun-deprived for most of the year.  It is no wonder, then, that we get so excited at the slightest sign of sunshine.

 

Today has been such a day: despite still relatively crisp conditions, I have seen people out enjoying the sun in shorts and T-shirts.  I was not one of them.

 

There is something about the sun.

 

It makes us feel joyful and optimistic.  We feel hopeful and inspired and enthusiastic.  Everyone is in a better mood when the sun comes out.

 

Isaiah described how God's glory shines on His people in the same way that the sun shines on us:

 

        "Put your face in the sunlight.

        God’s bright glory has risen for you.

        The whole earth is wrapped in darkness,

        all people sunk in deep darkness,

        But God rises on you,

        his sunrise glory breaks over you."

 

        [Isaiah 60:1 MSG]

 

In Britain, we can get so used to the dark, gloomy, grey weather which is so common in our country.  We can forget what the sun is and how it makes us feel.  In a spiritual sense, we can get used to life feeling dull and gloomy and depressing, too.  We live in the shadows.  We forget that life was ever different and we doubt that it will ever be different again.

 

But when we see the sun, everything changes.

 

And when we see the Son, everything changes too.

 

 

 

 

Transformed

If you are British, let me remind you of something with which we all used to be familiar.


The sun.


Pronounced as in "bun" or "done", it is a burning ball of gas around which the earth rotates and upon which all life depends.


If you live in the UK, you may well have forgotten that this exists, as it has been many months since the sun has been sighted on our island. In days gone by, we used to talk about "sunbathing" and getting a "suntan". The summer months would be spent relaxing in the garden or on the beach, reading a good book and soaking up the sun. And at the end of a long day in the sun, the more "sunned" your appearance would be.


It's the same with our relationship with God - the more time we spend with God in His presence, the more like Him we become.

"As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light."

[Matthew 17:2 NLT]

And as we spend more time in the presence of the Son - worshipping Him, reading His word and praying - we, too, will be transformed. Our faces will shine and reflect His glory.

"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory."

[2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV]

Whilst we don't stand much chance of getting a suntan this Summer (in Britain at least), we can always bathe in the light of the Son and be transformed into His likeness.