Journey of the Heart / Jennifer Burger

Brilliant weekend sunset offers a reminder of God’s great glory

We were recently with friends in South Haven, Mich., and they were eager to take us out on their boat one evening to watch the sunset.

Moving toward the horizon, we were treated to a dazzling show of yellow and orange brilliance with the backdrop of blue and purple hues in the sky. The sun’s light hit the waves, creating a golden path before us, as if calling us to draw closer.

I have seen many spectacular sunsets in my life, and on each occasion, it has been like I am experiencing it for the first time. This one felt no different.

These moments leave me speechless as my heart is overwhelmed and in awe of the beauty before me. As I have done so many times before, I pulled out my phone to take a picture, a feeble attempt to capture a moment for which a photo does not—nor cannot—do justice. Yet, I continued to take pictures, trying to catch each variation of the same beauty.

As I was standing on the deck of the boat looking at the series of photos and videos of this particular sunset on my phone, I asked myself what I was going to do with them? I have never intended to post such pictures on social media or put them in a frame to display on my wall—they have always been just for me. I suppose this is somewhat of a compulsion, but it is an honest response of wanting to preserve something that touches me deeply.

Looking up, I realized that I had lost precious moments of the sun setting, putting my time and effort into capturing a perfect moment, rather than letting the moment perfectly capture me.

Putting my phone away, I allowed myself to enter into the fullness of all the moments that were unfolding before me—the sun’s descent below the surface, the changing colors of the sky, the sailboat in the distance, the fresh evening air, my husband sitting beside me. Connected to all of the beauty and life around me, this sunset no longer felt “just for me” but “for all!”

The glory in this belongs wholly to God. I cannot create nor can I preserve such perfection. It is pure gift.

Yes, we are certainly called to “be perfect, just as our heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48)—this is our call to holiness—but when “getting it right” becomes my work and my preoccupation, I’ve taken ownership of what God intends to help me with and to show me face to face.

Our compulsions and desires for such perfection, although perhaps well-intentioned, can often distract or set us apart from seeing the larger picture, thus limiting ourselves to singular and self-serving moments: this can be the very “thief that comes only to steal, slaughter and destroy” (Jn 10:10).

Surrendering them and fully engaging in a relationship with our Lord, we are afforded a living and moving encounter of grace that leaves a lasting impression on our hearts. We are given access to the life for which Jesus came and “so that we would have it abundantly” (Jn 10:10)—a life that has meaning, purpose and beauty, and is ever new and eternal.

Let us keep our eyes—and hearts—directed toward this horizon and all his glory.
 

(Jennifer Burger is program manager at Our Lady of Fatima Retreat House in Indianapolis and a member of St. Simon the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis. She is also a spiritual director.) †