For little over a month now I have been taking an early evening stroll through my neighborhood. I usually go as the sun is setting so that I don’t have the sun in my eyes or beating down on me. It’s a little cooler at that time, although that depends on your perspective. A few weeks ago when daytime highs were hovering well above 112°, it might be 108° as the sun was going down. For the past week it has been quite a bit cooler with daytime highs in the upper 90s so that when I take my evening stroll it is sometimes 88° which is pleasantly comfortable for me.
Norm gets a little nervous when I go because he’s not there to protect me. He does not enjoy walking outdoors when it’s over 60° outside. I enjoy the solitude, but I’m really not alone because God is with me and I usually see a friendly face or two somewhere along the way. I’ve been discovering things about my neighborhood and I enjoy that.
The world takes on a different color as the sun is going down and everything has a golden glow and for a few minutes there is even a violet hue in the air. I love that time of day — even when it’s well above 100° outside. It’s worth it to experience the beauty of that hour. When I see the golden glow and the violet hues I often think of the glory of God mentioned in the Bible.
“Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” Exodus 40:34
“…and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with his glory.” Ezekiel 43:2
I know that what I see here is only a glimpse of what the glory of God really is like. The apostle John tells us about the new city of Jerusalem:
“I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” Revelation 21:22-23
I know it will be so much more beautiful than anything I have seen or can even imagine since God is the master artist of the universe. I look forward to one day seeing everything that he has created. The golden hour is a reminder to me of God’s presence. It’s a presence I want to live in continuously.
While it’s cooler here, my walks before 9:00 am have longer shadows and clearer outlines than later. Things are presented with sharper edges. They seem more real to me than the rest of the day. It’s a time that doesn’t cost money, and I take it at my own pace. Other people do, too, and we’re like old friends, with smiles and hugs. It’s not golden, just awash in color and cheer.
Thanks for this lovely post. Evening is my favorite time of day.
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Oh, and my mother told me that this hour of twilight is called the “gloaming.” Isn’t that a great word to describe that golden time of day? It’s one of my favorite times to walk, too.