But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.

Malachi 4:2 (ESV)

Is the sun ever going to shine again?

Every opportunity I get, no matter what the temperature, I escape the indoors for a brisk walk. Observers may think that I’m flaunting my physical abilities, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

If only they knew. God knows.

Sunshine and exercise nurture my physical well-being; they heal my mental state which is naturally prone to depression. I need the sun. My heart soars as I walk past a lush green pasture dotted with young calves romping and kicking up their heels.

More than I require the sun to lift my soul, I need God as my sun to enlighten, guide, and grace me in His ways. Framed scriptures hang in my home, verses cling to my computer monitor at work, and I’m daily immersed in God’s word and presence. Visible reminders bolster my soul. They are not for others to see to conclude that I’m more holy than them.

If only they knew. God knows.

I call on Him in desperate dependence on Him. I need to be surrounded and saturated with Him. I need Him. I will quickly wither and die without God. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11 ESV).

I soak in God’s marvelous light or else I slip into darkness and a pit of despair. I desire to be holy as He is holy, but for His sake, not my own.

May I keep my eyes on Jesus, who is the radiance of the glory of God (Hebrews 1:3 ESV) and on no one or nothing else.

Lord, I choose to bask in your brilliance continually, pride and a downcast spirit exposed. Thank you for being my sun so others may see you and not me.

Karen Sims