Nine Minutes After Sundown

When my lawyer/pilot friend Jeff posted this picture from one of his recent flights, it inspired me. First, to ask him if I could use it and then to use it to inspire a blog post.

A sunset is so beautiful, unlike the end of a marriage. If anything, they are a stark contrast to each other. One beauty, the other ugliness. One peace, the other war.

For a moment, take a breath and look at this picture, I mean really look at it.

The sun is going down. It is so colorful. It makes you want to reflect.

But the temperature is going to fall. The darkness is coming. That is the hard part.

Do you ever wonder why God created the sunset (and the sunrise, for that matter) to be such a brilliant display of color? I think it has to do with him wanting to get our attention. There is a change coming, and He wants you to know that it is ok. He wants you to get ready for change, but not to fear it. There is life(color) in the coming change, but it is before the change happens.

I love the title, Nine Minutes After Sundown. It means the sun has already fallen, yet the beauty is at its peak. It doesn’t mean the darkness will not come, it is just reminding us that we need to pay attention and reflect on the changes to come.

Just as with the sunrise, the colors are back in the sky, but it is before the sunrise(change). Every wonder why? Just like in the sunset, the colors precede the change. Again, I think it is God’s way of saying, “Ok, here is the day that I have made for you. It will be full of life, full of grace and mercy. Get ready!!”

Lamentations 3 (NLT)

21 Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this:

We all understand that the sun will rise again and life goes on. Even when Jesus died, the sun rose the next day. No matter how bad the coming or current darkness is, in due time the sun will be back and life will continue.

Let this picture be an encouragement, to give you strength to face the battles you have and to know that very soon, the sun will rise on your life again.