Today I was reminded of how we look back into our rear view mirrors on our vehicles to see if any vehicles are coming upon us or going around us, and while there is a purpose for these mirrors it made me ponder how often we should be looking back in the rear view mirror of our life.
When I look back in the mirror of my life, I am reminded of many joys and blessings, but I am also reminded of the hardships. While looking at the photo I posted with this article I see the beauty of a sunset reflected in my side mirror, but I also realize the sunset did not come without a full day’s work of providing light and warmth, even on the cloudy days.
One of my favorite texts from the Holy Scriptures comes from the Gospel of John. He states, “In him [Jesus] was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:4-5, NIV). But later on in the Gospel of John, we read these words: “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed” (John 3:19-20, NIV).
The joys and blessings we experience are very much like the day when the sun shines bright, but the hardships and pain we experience because of sin in our lives or evil done against us is like the darkness. It seems like we cannot have the one without the other, yet the promises of God are like the sunset – the reminder that even though night falls upon us, the glory of the “Son” shines forever in our hearts. No matter how dark it gets, if you close your eyes and set your thoughts on Him, you can always see the “son” setting upon our lives.
And for those of you who enjoy the beauty of a sunrise – the promise of another day to live life and live it abundantly, I rejoice with you, but must admit I see very few of them because I am far from being a morning person. Yet, I rejoice in knowing that with each new day God’s mercy never runs out, His compassion is for eternity, and He is faithful to administer these things to us, along with His love, even when we find ourselves in the darkness of life.