Description
Sunrise over Laie Bay
Would you be nearer the Lord today? Would you worship more deeply this Sunday? I was recently taught a principle that I will illustrate with a story.
We were in Hawaii, on a tour. There were 27 of us traveling about and exploring the island of Oahu. We went all over the island and had a wonderful experience, not just in what we saw, but the wonderful group that we were with. We got very close in just 8 days.
This wasn’t just a tour, it was a Church History tour. Which means we saw not only sites that were culturally and historically significant, but also spiritually significant. We weren’t just there to learn, but also to be edified.
Towards the end of our time there I proposed that we all get up early in the morning and go out on Laie Point to watch the sun come up over the ocean. It was not going to be easy. It was not part of our published itinerary. We had to get the word out and then get all those people out of bed, arrange for the buses and drivers to pick us up almost two hours early, and then transport them out to the beach. Once there, we had to help each other navigate the rough and rocky terrain out to the point.
On that significant Friday morning, I came down to the lobby and there they were at 6:45 AM, dressed and ready to go—mind you—they didn’t have to. We packed into the vans and drove out to the point. The parking was crowded. We were not the only ones who wanted to be out there.
Once unloaded, we had to help some in our group walk down onto the point. It was a tough walk and a long ways for some of our older folks. But they did it!
We got there, got situated, and waited. Moments later, the colors burst forth and the sun came up glorious and beautiful over Laie Bay. A lot of pictures were taken. As we watched the sun come up and the waves crashing in, the Lord visited us with His Spirit and we shared a wonderful gospel discussion and a beautiful prayer.
It was for me a highlight of the trip—a wonderful, edifying, and memorable moment. But it would not have happened if we had not gone beyond the normal and customary itinerary. Because we made an exceptional effort we received an exceptional blessing that we otherwise would have missed.
When it comes to drawing near to the Lord or worshipping Him, I believe sometimes it is necessary to go beyond what we normally do. If sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven—then occasional exceptional effort on the sabbath, in our prayers, or our worship practices will bring the light of the Son into our souls—the Son of God!
