Linda Dindzans
Tales of Hope and Healing
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Sunrise is an energetic time for me. More lark than owl and more Martha than Mary, I find it difficult at daybreak to be still, put aside the distractions of my to-do list, and enter the Lord’s rest. For years I felt guilty about my inability to establish a steady morning prayer and devotion routine. Now I have decided to start my day at sundown. At sundown my new habit is to enter His Rest, later settle for sleep, then awaken to the light, restored and ready to meet the challenges of the day.
Why start the day at sunset?
This practice is
Recently when watching a sunset, I remembered that the Jewish Sabbath, the time set aside for the Lord, commanded by the Lord, begins when the sun sinks below the horizon. The Law of Moses contains much wisdom, and it seemed the Lord was asking me to consider the importance of sunsets.
On the Jewish calendar,
In fact, every day begins at sundown.
Sunset as the marker for the start of the day is based on the Genesis account of Creation. “And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day” and the darkness He called “night”. And there was evening and there was morning––the first day. By listing evening before morning, the day is defined as starting in the evening or dark. The pattern continues until the seventh day when God rests.
Also, consider, even the history of the earth begins in the dark. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep… Genesis 1:1-2. History began with darkness moving toward light––as does His Story.
Jesus modelled the perfect life for us. He started His day with sundown. Imitating His habits could only be beneficial.
As a Jew, celebrating the feasts , the sabbaths, and each day of His life, Jesus followed the pattern of darkness to light. Further, He entered a dark, fallen world. In Isaiah 9:2 it is prophesied, The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” and in John 8:12 Jesus declares I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life. The darkness came before the light.
In the natural, fallen world, we know that even a glimmer of light banishes the dark. For those of faith we are promised that light ultimately conquers darkness. Forever. Light follows night. Each night on earth leads to sunrise—and points the way to Son Rise, Resurrection, Eternal life.
The pattern of light following dark is also a picture of our lives. Each life begins in the darkness of the womb. With birth, a new soul breaks into the light. That life in the light on earth eventually enters the darkness of the grave. But after the grave, there is a new dawn for those in Christ. A dawn into eternal life basking in the Light.
Life’s journey has bright mountaintops––successes, joy, love. This same journey has dark valleys––failures, mourning, and broken relationships. In short, life can be exhausting. At sundown, my weariness calls me to seek the stillness that eludes me in the morning. Starting my day as the light fades prompts me to an unhurried time of devotion, bible study and settling for sleep. I have found starting my day with the Lord at sunset, renews my mind, body, and soul much more effectively.
For me, each night is a call to set aside the sins and distractions of the day and a call to commit to a new beginning. Each sunset I am reminded to
from the One who created for six days. The One who rested on the first Sabbath. At sunset.
So, teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Psalm 90:12 KJV
