I will arise before the sun
Awaken dawn with songs of praise
Whatever the day breaks or makes
My heart will wear joyfulness
However my path goes or stays
I’ll make up my face with cheerfulness;
Through tears of joy and pain
Through high and low, thick and thin
With the sun each day, I’ll rise and set
A thankful heart of worship at Your feet.
Rising or setting, my heart will be
Bowed in honor to my King.

Food For Thought: There are a couple of decisions that are taken on our behalf and to which our opinions count very little. There are circumstances that are way out of our control and there is nothing much we can do to change them. Like how the day breaks, when the sun rises and sets, which way the wind blows, among others. Global and local events that affect our lives are also included in the list of these things that we have no choice but to live with. I don’t think anybody expects us to try to change what we can’t, not even God. However, there are very many that lie within our influence; like how we take on the day, what we do because of or in spite of the weather, where we go, among many others. The expectation is that we manage those circumstances within our control even in the face of all that we can’t control. And how we manage those within our control determines how the ones we can’t control leave us. There are choices we can make, for or against: decisions that will place us at advantage or disadvantaged positions. Choices like retaining the attitude of gratitude or thanklessness, to be joyful or wrathful among others. Those are the areas we need to focus our energies on. The weather can influence our moods but it shouldn’t determine our moods: we do and whichever we choose, we can’t blame the weather. We may not be able to control how the sun rises and sets but we choose how our hearts and attitudes rise and set each day and those choices influence the quality of life we enjoy or endure.

Scripture: From the rising of the sun to its going down the Lord’s name is to be praised. Psalms 113: 3.

Prayer: Dear Lord, whether the sun is rising or setting, whether I am standing or falling, may Your praise remain fervent on my lips, amen.