The Nice Thing About Sunsets
by Oliver Carlos
Most poems and other literature tag a negative meaning to sunsets. It is usually used as an allegory to a dark period in life, and most often to death. Writers would compare the sunset to the fading away of one’s glorious career, or to the failing of one’s physical health. The sunset marks the end of the day, and similarly the end of life.
But for some, that isn’t necessarily true. Now that we are in the modern age, most people’s days begin at sunset. Those who do night shifts in factories, convenience stores, night markets, and similar places of work would look forward to the sunset, because that would mean money time for them. In this pandemic’s new normal, nighttime seems to be the favorite time of students to do their online tasks. That’s the time of the day that they observe to have the strongest internet signal.
Sunsets are mentioned quite a number of times in the Bible, especially in the book of Psalms. My favorite is Psalm 113:3 (ERV):
“May the Lord’s name be praised from where the sun rises to where it goes down.”
The psalmist wanted to express the desire of his heart to praise the Lord all day long. Why not? The whole day is filled with God’s blessings! The idiom, “from sunrise to sunset” literally means “whole day,” with nighttime included. If you would just pause and count the good things God gave you in a single day, you would easily conclude that he is indeed faithful.
Sunset could be the that time of the day when we can do that habit. At the end of each day, take time to deliberately look back at the day that’s about to be done. See how God has guided you, protected you, fed you, and gave you everything you needed to survive that day. He gave you wisdom in work or school, gave you your health, provided financially, protected you from harm, bailed you out in tough moments, and so much more. If we would count his blessings, we would be consuming so much time. That’s how generous our God is. We just don’t notice this truth because we are too preoccupied with the worries of our world.
So just like the daily 6:30 PM newscast most people wait for, make it a habit to thank the Lord as you make a recap of your day. If the newscaster would narrate what happened in the realm of politics, economics, sports and showbusiness from sunrise to sunset, try to recall too how your day had been. Instead of counting the negatives, focus on the positives. Meditate on God’s goodness and faithfulness to you.
So sunsets aren’t really that worse, they’re actually good. It is our alarm clock to praise the Lord for that “another day” he has added to your life on earth. Try doing something different beginning today. Praise him at sunrise, praise him at sunset, praise him every time you can. Praise God for his faithfulness to you all day long.
