The Sun Also Rises

          A big thanks to +Erik Coonce, who was a faithful and patient friend to me in helping me sort through something that I do not quite understand! The essay below is about the truth of the fullness of life that is found in the reality of the Risen King, Jesus of Nazareth. It is because of the historical fact of His resurrection and truth of His Kingship that we can always find hope, even when life is full of mess. Friends move, relationships die, seasons come and go, but the Son of Man is the same yesterday, today, and forever.


“The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. ‘Vanity of vanities,’ says the Preacher, ‘vanity of vanities! All is vanity.’ What advantage does man have in all his work which he does under the sun? A generation goes and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. Also, the sun rises and the sun sets and hastening to its place it rises there again.” -Ecclesiastes 1:1-5

A few weekends ago, I was faced with the truth that a season of life is ending and fading into a new one. For the last two years, I have enjoyed a close relationship with many brothers and sisters scattered about NC, SC, TN, and GA, and many of those relationships have either died or are changing. I have feasted on biblical truth with great joy, and now it doesn't seem to be coming so easy. I had the comfort of knowing I had a couple years left in college to figure things out, but now my future is approaching quickly.

Quite honestly, it’s both uncomfortable and painful. I've had the passage in Ecclesiastes on my mind over the past few days, and it has echoed deeply in my soul. The sun is setting on many things that I am quite comfortable with, and I absolutely hate it. I have been waiting on the Lord to answer questions and give me direction, but right now I have nothing. I am not sure what to make of changing seasons, and I have no answers for uncertainty.

Today, like every day of my life, my heart needs repentance. When I don’t understand why things are happening as they are, I must not lean on my own understanding. I must remember that He is faithful even when we are not and that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His power is made perfect in our weaknesses.  Whatever comes of this season and this life, He is at work to continually renew us. He has set us free as His children. Jesus is eternally willing to give the life I so desperately crave and I so desperately need.

Hear this: it was His death and resurrection that gave us life and hope. Do not look away from Jesus in your pain. He is enough for us.  Do not weep when the sun sets; the sun also rises.