GUIDED MEDITATION ON A BEACH SUNRISE
GO
Some might disagree, but I would propose that there is no better way to begin a beach vacation then waking up the first morning to see the sunrise. Resist the urge to sleep in and get out there before the sun rises so you can catch the glory of the day dawning over the ocean. Trust me, as long as its a clear enough morning, its so worth it! On my family's most recent trip to the beach my daughter Susie woke me up on four of the seven mornings to see the sunrise. I never regretted it. Each of these four mornings we took lots of pictures . . . let me rephrase that . . . she took lots of pictures. We also jogged together, explored nature together, and did a creation meditation together. Later in the day we shared our meditations with the rest of the family. Go catch the first sunrise friends, you'll be thankful you did. Be sure to take your Bible, a pen, and your journal. The attached pdf is Susie and my first meditation together. We encourage you to do your own before reading ours.
EXPERIENCE
• As you wait for the sunrise, take a few minutes just to listen, look, feel, smell, and even taste the experience of being at the ocean's edge when you arrive. Let your senses wake up and come alive with the thrill of being at the beach.
• Take your sandals off and walk in the surf or just sit down in the sand.
• Take out your journal and pen and make a list of all the ways you are experiencing the sunrise. You can write sentences, phrases, or just single words to describe your experience.
• You might choose to answer these two questions:
1. How is the sunrise beautiful?
2. How is experiencing the sunrise refreshing?
CONTEMPLATION
• What were your reasons for coming to the beach this week? weekend?
• In what ways does the sunrise reflect the beauty of God?
• What are all the ways you can think of that God is beautiful?
• As you watch the sun rise and usher in a fresh new day what are some of ways you desire to be refreshed by your time at the beach? How does God's Word, creation meditation, and prayer factor into your answer?
• Where in your life right now do you need a fresh new start?
• What has God communicated about fresh new starts in his Word and in his World?
PRAYER
• Praise God for all the ways he is beautiful.
• Confess the ways you have not lived in light of God's beauty.
• Thank God for all the blessings of being at the beach.
• Ask God to meet you in special ways during these meditations and to refresh your soul.
CONFIRMATION
• The following is a list of biblical passages that pertain to the sunrise. Take some time to explore what the Scriptures say then think about the associative connections between God, God's Word, and God's world - confirming your contemplations.
• Psalm 65: 7-8
• Psalm 19:1, 4-5
• Malachi 1:11
• Psalm 50:1-2
• Psalm 113: 3-8
• Psalm 80: 3, 7, 19
• Job 38:12-13
• Psalm 57:8
• Psalm 119:147
• Proverbs 4:18
• Psalm 90:14
• Isaiah 45:5-6
• Isaiah 59:18-19