For many of us winter is cold and with little sunshine. Yet there are days when the sun not only peeks through the clouds, but shines as brilliant as a summer's day. That sunshine warms us in many ways. It warms us on the outter layers of our body. Though we wear the jackets, coats etc. we also feel the effects of the sunshine's warmth through those layers. If we turn our face to the sunshine, we feel that warmth on our skin. Should we allow it, that same warmth can go deeper, into our being, our spirit. That warmth reminds us of hope. That hope is renewed life.
Hope, you know it. More than likely you preached on it during the Christmas season. Here are a few verses to help remind us: 2 Corinthians 4:18
"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." Romans 12:12 "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer." Psalm 147:11 "The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love." Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." 1 Timothy 4:10 "That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe." This last verse is for us as pastors. Paul wrote it to a pastor. He wrote it to a young pastor who was in a difficult church with difficult circumstances. Timothy was doing his best. He was doing his all to correct that church. Paul tells him to "take a little wine for his stomach." 1 Tim. 5:23 Stop drinking only water and use a little wine instead, because of your stomach and your frequent ailments. (I do not advocate drinking wine as medicine. That is another topic altogether.) My point is, Timothy, like many of us, was letting the "work" get to him. It was impacting his health. In trying to lead the Ephesus church and setting an example etc. he was neglecting himself.
Pastor, you have heard it said, "take time to smell the roses." I say, take time to soak in the sun! When the sun is out, you be out to "get some rays." Philip Crouse Jr. says, "We may naturally pay more attention to our physical and spiritual health, but if our emotional or mental health is weak, our overall health is weak. In fact, when we struggle with one aspect of our health, it often affects all parts of our health over time. If you and I want to be effective in ministry for many years, we need to pay attention to all aspects of our health."1 And there is more, "
When sunlight hits your skin, your body releases something called nitric oxide into your blood. This compound brings down blood pressure and improves heart health. Maintaining healthy blood pressure can reduce your risks of cardiac disease and stroke. Feelings of relaxation may also naturally bring down blood pressure, so boosting your happiness by soaking up rays also aids in keeping your pressure down.
The sun can be your body’s best friend. It not only boosts your mood and can be an effective part of treatment for depression and SAD, but its rays have tangible benefits for our physical well-being.2
One last thing. Though I have focused on the sun in the sky, how much more if we were to include doing a similar experience with the Son, the radiance of glory, the Light of the Word, the Light in the darkness? You get it.
Injoy the sun/Son on a winter's day. Catch the rays while you can. Blessings to all. As Dr. Desmond Barrett says, remember, God is on your side.
1 https://www.pastorscenter.org/blog/the-pastors-health
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