Sonburn

This is one of those days that must have inspired the “It’s raining, it’s pouring, the old man is snoring…” song.  It is definitely raining.  I’m sure somewhere an old man is taking a lovely Sunday afternoon nap.  But today, I can’t help but thinking about sonburn.

Haha.  Not sunburn, silly.

Sonburn.

Summer is almost upon us!  As a teacher, I catch (and sometimes surpass) my students' excitement for another summer.  Warm days, sleeping in, swimming, adventures….and, of course, sunburn.  I was blessed to inherit mostly Irish genes from my mother (what happened to the Greek olive skin, Dad?) and so most every summer I tan a little.  But I’m mostly sunburned.

But you know what?  I think when your face is kissed by the sun, it is very becoming.  Although tan may be even more becoming than burn, either way, there is an unmistakable look for those who have been in the presence of the sun.  This summer, I hope to look “sun-kissed” (in a non-cancer forming way…yay for sunscreen).

But, I hope even more to look “Son-kissed”.  J

Have you ever noticed that people who spend a lot of time with Jesus have a certain look about them?  They glow.  They have a remarkable peace about them in the midst of struggles.  They are often wise beyond their years or experience.  Here are some biblical examples:

·         “When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD.”  Exodus 34:29

·         “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and took note that these men had been with Jesus.”  Acts 4:13

·         “Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.  Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue…These men began to argue with Stephen, but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke…All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.”  Acts 6:8-9a, 10, 15

Moses literally glowed.  Peter and John were noted as different.  Stephen was wise and eloquent and peaceful.  And all because of the Lord.  What is it about the Lord Jesus that affects us so?  How can time spent with him even change the countenance of our faces?  Maybe because, in some ways, the sun is like the Son. J

·         “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word….”  Hebrews 1:3

·         “His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.  His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.  In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword.  His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.”  Revelation 1:14-16

Whoa.  Those are pretty powerful word pictures.  Jesus’ face is like the sun shining in all its brilliance?  He is the radiance of God’s glory?

So, if I spend time face-to-face time with Jesus, shouldn’t it be evident to those around me?  Shouldn’t I have the unmistakable glow of “sonburn”?  J

That “Sonshine” is worth basking in and will never go away.  But it’s up to me to spend time in it. 

If I don’t, just like with my red sunburn, I will go back to being pasty white. J 

This summer, like all summers, will be here and gone before I even realize what’s happening.  I’m excited to see the wonderful adventures God has in store.  But even after the sunshine of summer fades, I pray that my face will continue to show the color that is evidence of my time spent with Him. 

·         “Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”  Psalm 34:5

·         “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”  II Corinthians 3:18

Oh, may we never spend time so much time away from the Lord that He isn’t recognizable in our countenance.  May we focus more this summer on being “son-kissed” than “sun-kissed.”  And may that “sonburn” make us beautiful in His eyes.

 

I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of His face;
Content to let the world go by to know no gain or loss,
My sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross.