Sunsets...

Last week I decided I wanted to take some pictures of a sunset with my new camera. So to prepare for the "photo shoot" I did a little research online. I found out what settings will allow my camera to take the best pictures. I also purchased a tripod. You see you need to be able to hold the camera very still in order to capture the shot. Well...I wanted to arrive in ample time before the sunset so I could be prepared. So...I arrived at Sam Lewis Park at 8pm (35 minutes before sunset). I took my camera and lenses and tripod out. I set them up. While I was setting up I also saw some hot air balloons float over...that was VERY cool!

By the time I had everything set up there was still 20 minutes before the sun would set. However the sky was pretty. I wanted to start taking pictures, however the sun was shining directly into the camera and really I couldn't get any good pictures. (I had read that would be the case.) So I had to wait. Then the sun dropped behind the clouds. The momentary drop behind the clouds allowed me to take some shots. They were beautiful. I played with the settings to find the best conditions.

The sun started to fall below the clouds and again...too much sun. My eyes could enjoy the shot, but I was unable to "capture" the beauty. So I just sat down and "enjoyed" it. I took it all in. The sky became a brilliant canvas for me to watch. I was enjoying so much.

Finally the sun dipped behind the horizon. Now was the time to begin to shoot the colorful sky. I was able to get some beautiful pictures. The pictures you see on the blog were the result of my evening.

As I was enjoying this time of sunset photography, I realized that this experience is very much like my spiritual life. There are times that I prepare to spend time with God. I gather everything I need (my journal, my Bible, a book I am reading, a candle...etc). I sit and I am ready to spend time with God. What I discover is that in order to truly experience the beauty of this time it requires "waiting". I sit and wait. This waiting looks like me "preparing myself" by listening to some music, or maybe praying, or maybe lighting a candle and just become fully present. As I sit there, I begin to experience an amazing intimiacy with Jesus. Sometimes I do not even have the ability to put words in my journal about the experience. I must just enjoy it and be very present. As I sit and I am silent, I find that I can eventually put words in my journal to record the experience.

So have you sat silently and spent time just "being present?"