Jesus, Lover of my Soul: Life, Death, and Sunsets

I really love sunsets, so I thought I'd write about them on my blog. I'm from Arizona, and we get a ton of really beautiful sunsets in our valley. I can't remember a time when I didn't love and admire amazing sunsets. I have probably taken over 1,000 pictures of sunsets. The reason for that is because a sunset is always changing. The clouds are moving, the sun is setting, so it is a process. I take so many pictures of just one sunset to see if I can get the best shot, the most beautiful picture of one. From what I've seen, it takes only about 30 seconds or about a minute for you to get a different looking sunset. It's slightly different but it could make a big difference. Time is intensified when trying to capture the grandeur of a setting sun. I run to my camera whenever I see what could be a great picture.

“When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon,

my soul expands in worship of the Creator”

Mahatma Gandhi

Sunsets really give you a simple joy of the beauty of the earth. A sunset is the most magnificent display of clouds and light and colors I can imagine. It seems to be a small glimpse of what it will look like when Jesus comes again. Sunsets could also be compared to the end of life, as sunrises to the beginning of new life.

"Doors of Death" Russell M. Nelson, April 1992 General Conference Address
"Life does not begin with birth, nor does it end with death. Prior to our birth, we dwelled as spirit children with our Father in Heaven. There we eagerly anticipated the possibility of coming to earth and obtaining a physical body. Knowingly we wanted the risks of mortality, which would allow the exercise of agency and accountability. “This life [was to become] a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God.” (Alma 12:24.) But we regarded the returning home as the best part of that long-awaited trip, just as we do now. Before embarking on any journey, we like to have some assurance of a round-trip ticket. Returning from earth to life in our heavenly home requires passage through—and not around—the doors of death. We were born to die, and we die to live. (See 2 Cor. 6:9.) As seedlings of God, we barely blossom on earth; we fully flower in heaven."

“How strange this fear of death is! We are never frightened at a sunset.”

George MacDonald

There's nothing to fear of something as death. If we have an eternal perspective on life we would have a hope from the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation. I feel like a beautiful sunset could be a reminder to us of God's plan for us. It is inspiring to me, and also gives me a sense of how fast life goes. One minute the sunset will be there and the next it's gone, you have to cherish it while you have it.
Life can be the same way. If we don't take advantage of the opportunities right Here in front of us, life might pass us up and move right on. If you don't stop to look around once in a while, you could miss it. Doesn't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got till its gone? Don't let life be that way, cherish what you have. Make a change you need to, and take the courage to be who you need to be TODAY. Pray to Heavenly Father for the strength to be your best self. Don't let yourself be held captive by the things of the past. Don't forget the reason for our life on Earth is to prepare to meet God.