Begin Again With God

“These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” 1 Peter 1:7 (NIV)

“The ‘golden hour’, what’s that?” I asked the young woman with the camera. She smiled at me and said, “You’ll see; just watch.” So, I wearily sat on a rock and stared at the lake while I waited for my husband to return from fishing. It was nearing the end of a long, hot day, and I felt lightheaded and shaky. I’d recently been enduring a series of difficult days, in and out of the hospital, due to poor health. That’s why we took this day trip to the lake. We needed a break. However, I hadn’t felt well enough to enjoy it.

But as the minutes ticked by and the sun began to set, I watched the sky turn from a bright blue to a combination of indigo, orange, and gold. The sun looked like molten lava reflected by clouds and the lake. I sighed, took a deep breath, and thought, “golden, indeed.” And in that moment, I felt God’s strength and restoration radiate through me, as His Spirit whispered, “Begin again with me.”

When I got home, I researched “golden hour” and discovered that it is a term photographers use to indicate the hour just before sunrise or after sunset. The “golden hour” is the ideal time to take photographs because the sunlight is soft, warm, and diffused. Well, no wonder it’s so beautiful and perfect, I thought, after all, God is light (1 John 1:5).

As I considered this, I discovered more symbolism in the “golden hour.” When we walk in God’s light, Jesus purifies us. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7, NIV).

The Bible frequently uses the metaphor of purifying gold to represent repentance and the removal of sin. “In the same way that gold and silver are refined by fire, the Lord purifies your heart by the tests and trials of life” (Proverbs 17:3, TPT). And, Friend, what could be more restorative than God forgiving and purifying our hearts?

The Lord never promised we would have a problem-free life just because we are Christians. Actually, Jesus said just the opposite. “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NIV).

However, our struggles can be more valuable than gold because they increase our faith. When our hope comes from Jesus, who overcame death and sin, we can stop struggling, take a deep breath, and begin again with God. As Peter said, “These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:7 NIV).

Dear one, I know it’s hard to fathom why we must endure struggle, illness, and heartache. Unfortunately, it is the result of a sinful, fallen world. However, we can have faith. God will use every heartache to strengthen us, draw us closer to Him, grow our faith, and ultimately glorify Himself, so that others will come to know Him and be saved.

In the meantime, we have the “golden hour” to remind us of God’s restoration and refining process. The “golden hour” reminds us to take a deep breath and begin again with God.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the beautiful things you created, like the “golden hour,” which reminds me of your restoration and refining process. I have hope that you will use every heartache I encounter to help me become more like Jesus. Please remind me to stop fighting the process, take a deep breath, and begin again with you.