The sun, or the Son?

Well, here I am, safely home after a most enjoyable and relaxing holiday in France. Our (my wife and I) tanned bodies are testament to the amount of good weather that we enjoyed, and many hours were spent lying on the beach, or outside the caravan, or at the side of the swimming-pool (depending on where we were!!) soaking up the sunshine that is, we have to admit, such a rarity in dear old Scotland. (And we were careful, of course, to use plenty of sunscreen, and after-sun moisturisor!).

I suppose that some would accuse us of being ‘sun-worshippers’, but I would be quick to reject such an accusation. I think that there is a big difference between enjoying the warmth of the summer sun when one has the opportunity to do so (I Tim.6:17, and 4:4, would apply!), and making it the major focus of one’s life! It is foolish, as Paul points out in Rom. 1:25 (albeit in a different context), to worship the creation, rather than the Creator.

We are, however, happy to be called ‘Son worshippers’. That’s one of the things that we seek to remember – that just because we’ve gone off on an extended holiday doesn’t mean that we leave the Lord behind. After all, He has promised that He will never leave His people, nor forsake them (Heb.13:5, quoting Deut.31:6).

I thank God for the sun that He created, and for the pleasure that it provides – especially for those of us who don’t see a great deal of it. But I thank Him more for the Son, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me. (Gal.2:20) He, and He alone, is to be the Object of our worship. And, when I reach glory, I will discover that there is no sun for “… the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light.” (Rev.21:23)

If you have the opportunity, I hope that you, too, will enjoy the benefits of the sun. But I trust that you will also ensure that you are worshipping the Son, Who is always to be exalted.