Have you ever done a double-take looking out the window? Arriving early at the office one morning, my gaze immediately caught the light in the window. The deep orange glow of the sun peaking behind the mountain outside was mesmerizing. I paused from what I was doing to wait for the sun to make its grand entrance. It rose in a matter of just a few seconds. The sunrise coming up that day reminded me that in all the ups and downs, all I have to do is look up.

The sheer beauty of the sunrise filled my entire being with the presence of God. With its effortless ascent, the fast-rising sun brought peace and comfort to my racing thoughts. Have you ever experienced a perfect day, only to have a single moment cast a shadow over its splendor? It’s a feeling I’ve known all too well, especially when I focus on the shadow rather than the light.

My wonderful Holy Spirit reminded me of a few things through the sunrise that morning.

There is so much goodness in our lives, but hurdles can try to stall us from seeing the goodness. Have you had a moment in your day that caused you to shift your gaze from the good and toward the hurdle? I hope I’m not the only one, but I’ve noticed myself getting stuck here at times. Just as quickly as the wind can shift directions, I can allow a moment in my day to shift my gaze 180 degrees.

But just as quickly as the sun rises in the morning, God’s presence can fill us despite the atmosphere of our current surroundings. The One who is all-powerful and all-knowing springs up and brings light. While I cannot always change the atmosphere around me or keep something from dimming my day, I can always look up to find goodness in the One who created the sun to rise every morning.

The hurdles along our days don’t have to keep us down. When we’re down, we have an opportunity to look up. Remember how quickly the sun rises? God’s peace within us can do the same.

As I shift my thoughts to the Word, I notice how quickly my heart is filled with hope, just as quickly as the rising morning sun.

His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand.
Habakkuk 3:4

Anything that may cause a shadow in our days does not compare to the splendor of our God. While moving toward that light may take some time, God’s grace always covers us. We can always move forward by looking up instead of staying with what brought us down.

Knowing that a hurdle had shadowed my thoughts, I turned to my Father, surrendered a simple prayer, and opened my Bible. As fast as the rising sun, God rises to the rescue.

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
Psalm 34:4-5

These verses nudged me to look to my Father as I heard Him gently remind me not to look down on myself. Look up, child. Look up to the One who fearfully and wonderfully created you.

Just as God answered David, He will answer us. Even if our thoughts can turn from carefree to unsteady at times, God can comfort us in His rising splendor just as the wind can shift directions.

Hope entered as I closed my eyes and let His Word settle in my mind and heart. We can always find good beyond what seems not-so-good. There is beauty beyond the weeds.

Even in the downs, I am so grateful that there is always space to grow and learn as I look up.

Friend, as the sun rises this morning, know that God’s presence and mercies are rising within you.