I did not wake up to watch the sunrise this morning.
I’m sitting in a coffee shop on Siente Calle y Uno Avenidas in Antigua, Guatemala. I’m eating a crushed pop tart and already downed an old clementine that was in my backpack for a few days. My card was declined at the ATM, my bank froze it, and I’m pressed to go grocery shopping. Ya boy needs to eat.
I woke up with a beautifully laid out plan, working it all out with my squadmates and my team leader last night. It is 11 in the morning and the only thing that has gone according to plan is the fact that I am in Antigua. I was stressed, anxious, and in hyperdrive to figure all the things out.
And the sun still rose this morning.
The past few days have been absolutely delightful. We left for the Atlanta airport at 5 a.m. on Thursday and made it to the base by 3 p.m. Our travel day went mightily smooth, and not a single person forgot their passport on the plane.
We were greeted by the most wonderful people who desire to deeply align their vision to God’s, and who are ushering his kingdom into the Earth.
I unpacked, explored, and took the coldest shower of my life. I had flashbacks to the lake! Little did I know I only needed to ask Manuel to turn on the hot water breaker.
The AIM base in Guatemala is breathtaking. From the courtyard you can see the volcano Fuego, which the sun sets right over, casting the most brilliant light into the building. We had our cultural orientation, met all of the base staff, and now our squad is adventuring in Antigua for the day.
I finished reading Letters to the Church by Francis Chan, which I found to be the most loving feedback session I have ever received as a member of the church. I am deeply enjoying Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers and attempting to wrap my prideful mind around Jesus’ teaching in Matthew.
And the sun still rose this morning.
The first thing I noticed when we flew over the coast on Thursday afternoon was how blue the water looked from the plane. Then, the second thing I noticed was how beautiful the sky was from the top of the mountain that the base is on. You can see sky whichever way you turn. We don’t really have that where I’m from, and I love it very much.
The third thing I noticed was how different the sky looked as soon as the sun dipped past the horizon. The clouds would change colors, the light would cast even more brilliant colors, and half the squad would be in awe of what our Father is capable of.
I haven’t woken up early enough to see the way the sun changes atmosphere and brings light upon the earth yet. But guess what?
The sun still rose this morning.
Me choosing to wake up to see the beauty contained in the sunrise does not alter the fact that the sun will rise, without fail, for the rest of my life. It will be the same for you.
I was thinking about this lovely idea on the way over, 38,000 feet in the air.
Then I heard the still small voice that I am coming to know so well say,
Beloved, my love is the same.
It is quite funny, you know. For so much of my life, I thought that I could dissuade the love of God. How prideful was I in thinking that my actions had more power than Love itself. Don’t get me wrong, the Father still despises sin and the sinner. Yet the beauty of Love is that he came toward us despite this condition of our being. This initiating love moves us to move toward him just the same. Holy God, surrounded in unapproachable light, approached me? What other response would I have but to seek to be with him always?
Though, some days, I forget. I forget to respond to Love’s eternal invitation. I forget to talk with him, to tell him about my life, and to ask him for help basically every minute of the day. Yet,
Like the sunrise, Love still invites me to join him every morning.
He is inviting you, too.
Elijah
