Setting or Rising?

When the Constitutional Convention ended in Philadelphia back in 1787, Benjamin Franklin remarked that during the long process of drafting the U.S. Constitution, he had taken notice of the sun engraving on the back of George Washington’s chair and wondered whether it was a rising or setting sun.  George Washington was the president of the Convention, so he was setting on the dias in front of the room and the high back of his chair was easily visible to Franklin who sat in the front row.

Certainly if you read about the Convention and the arguments and battles that went on over that long summer, it’s easy to understand Franklin’s’ musings.

As our lives move on through life’s journey, there may be those times when we wonder whether our “sun” is setting or rising.  Surely life has its ups and downs!

A life that is lived for Christ never has a setting sun, for it is eternal; the day of life will not end, even though our physical bodies may die.  A life lived for Christ is a victorious life, and as we travel along the road of life with Jesus at our side there is no reason to worry or despair even if things don’t go our way. The real question to ponder is this: Is our view of life an eternal one?  If we are constantly getting caught up in the cares and worries of this world, then it may be that our viewpoint isn’t as eternal as it should be.

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About Don Merritt

A long time teacher and writer, Don hopes to share his varied life's experiences in a different way with a Christian perspective.
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2 Responses to Setting or Rising?

  1. cathy's avatar cathy says:

    Don, you are so right – we put self in the way so often, that we forget that our purpose is not for self satisfaction or self desire. It is for God’s purposes that we are here. May I be reminded of that each and every day I have here. The sun is rising if we choose for it to rise. We have to make the chose and live the life that God gave us. May his purpose be revealed in our lives and that we may serve him by furthering his kingdom. Amen.

  2. Pieter Stok's avatar Pieter Stok says:

    Don, great reflection. Thank you.

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