“To give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in the darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet in the way of peace” (Luke 1:76-79, ESV).
How does it happen that the days of our living, become more about our living in our ordinary routine or struggle, than about our living in the plans and ways for which we were created? Some people move through their day without much thought or purpose, in a kind of recurring normal that has become their life routine and thus each new day will hold little chance of becoming anything different. Other people, whether hassled or overwhelmed by multitudes of various personal hardships, health issues or problematic concerns in relationships or callings might even hold in fear the coming of each new day. Some people may become so incensed by something they become consumed and unable to think of anything else while others are so haunted by evil that is tormenting governmental or societal systems they become immobilized. Finally for some people, the battle in fighting sin or addictions and dealing with the consequences of both choices and diseases leaves the breaking day, promising little but hopelessness.
Yet, here in the breaking of the dawn is the start of a uniquely, defined and distinctive new day. It is a day, in spite of its being relatively the same in a numeric sense of hours holds great potential to become something different.
Whether this day is the first day or the middle day of Advent, Lent or just a day in a month that falls in the numbered year … each new day that breaks in the sunrise has the potential to be a day of significance when the light of our Savior penetrates the ordinary through His salvation and the tender compassion of His love. Faith is not just a filter through which the colored events of the day are processed but it includes letting the clarity of the light of His Word and Spirit to shine in and on every sense and facet as we appeal for His grace to cover and direct this new day. This new day beckons us with possibility of change, encouragement, peace and even the miraculous when the day is given in trusting faith to the Savior who both saves and delivers in every day.
This new day has broken with the potential to become a day of significance. Let the Light of the Savior break into your ordinary day and be thankful for His coming.
This new day has broken with the potential to become a day of significance. Let the Light of the Savior break into your ordinary day and be thankful for His coming.
Ash Wednesday – Suggested Reading … Luke 1
