Running in the Sun

Numbers 6:24-26

“The LORD bless you and keep you;

the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;

the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

Spring is here and warmer weather is coming. When we run in the warm weather, we wear clothing that exposes our skin to the sun. In the winter months, though, we are forced to cover up or take our runs indoors on the treadmill. Because of our lack of exposure to the sun, we have less Vitamin D in our systems.

Researchers have known for years that Vitamin D is critical to our good health. They have also known that our bodies produce Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. I find that amazing: just being exposed to the sun causes a change within us. We don’t tell our bodies to create the change, and we don’t have to understand how it happens. We don’t have to do anything to earn sunshine; we aren’t offered it and then have to accept it. We just go outside and it is there. We receive the benefit because the sun shines upon us.

In Numbers 6, the Lord gives Moses words to bless His people. In these words, He tells the people that it is a blessing to have His face shine upon them. The Lord is gracious and powerful beyond our understanding – simply having His face shine upon us transforms us! Exposure to Him through His Son creates a change within us. It is not a change we can generate on our own. We do not have to do anything to earn it. It does not happen because we ask for it or accept it – it is given to us as a free gift because our Father loves us.

But just as our bodies in the winter aren’t exposed to the sun, we might be spiritually covered up and missing out on our exposure to the Son. I know that there are times in my life that I take myself out of exposure. Sometimes I think I am too busy to devote time to Him. At other times I let my doubt or lack of trust get in the way of spending time with Him.

We all need the sun for Vitamin D to afford us good health. But even more, we need God to shine His face upon us and be gracious to us. He is abundantly willing to give us His blessings. Let’s bask in that love.  

Lord, I know that simply being in Your gracious presence is a blessing. Thank You for sending Jesus to draw me to You. Draw me to You each day and do not let me be satisfied with anything less. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.