“When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, ‘Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.’” (Genesis 28:16, NIV)
How often is God in our midst and we are not aware of it? I’ve been big on sunsets lately and people are getting tired of hearing about them but I cannot remember a time in West Texas when we have had such exquisite sunsets. A few nights ago my three year old said, “Wow, dad look at that sunset!” All of the family hurried outside to enjoy the pinks, blues, and oranges painted across the sky and we marveled at God’s handiwork in a seemingly ordinary moment. The sun sets every day as part of God’s good creation and we often overlook it.
In the above Scripture, Jacob had fled his home when the sun began to set and he stopped for the night. This wasn’t a beautiful sunset for him. Jacob had hurt his family. He had done some deceitful things against his brother and his father and it cost him his home and family. He was on the run and alone when he awoke sometime in the night excited over a dream. He dreamed of a stairway to heaven. No, not the Led Zeppelin song but a stairway on which angels were going back and forth between heaven and earth. Then God appeared at the top and spoke a blessing over Jacob.
When we act deceitfully or hurt others the last thing we want is to encounter God. In our brokenness or our arrogance we actively avoid God and try to hide but as much as we want to escape His presence the sun will set in all its goodness and beauty. And there is God. But God is not waiting to reprimand or judge us but to bless us with His amazing grace so that we might receive His love to find peace and belonging. Not because we deserve it but because God is love and like the sunset it beckons all people to experience God’s majesty. Jesus Christ proves this love by dying in our place, defeating death, and advocating for you and me in the very presence of God even if we are not aware of it. But soon enough a time will come when the sunsets will fade and our time on earth is over. My greatest hope is that you have received God’s love through Jesus Christ. If you haven’t, ask Him to be Lord of your life today.
Jonathan Sullivan is the Pastor at First Baptist Church, 1201 Western Circle Dr., in Dimmitt, Texas. Worship and Kid’s Church this Sunday at 10:30. Small groups meet at 9:30. Come celebrate with us.