Dawn Ascending

Ghosts of barbed wire fences flow past in the periphery as miles slide by. Headlights struggle to penetrate the blackness of night. Years remembered find conscious thoughts while the sleeping country road keeps silent company and the hours melt away.

Port Lavaca, Texas piers at daybreak

Lonesomeness grows in yesterday’s memories haunted by family and friends. Blackness and monotony of pre-dawn travel create a melancholy mood recalling things that never will be, things that never have been, and promise unfulfilled. Dissatisfaction sets in as goals fade in the inadequacy of human effort, yet I continue in the blackness toward the day’s work which provides the sustenance of American life. Confidences of youth fade as years fall away in sequence and imagined future stagnates in necessary work.

Rural fences give way to scattered buildings revealing civilization ahead as dawn approaches. Coastline appears in the first hint of calm dawn-light as reflections of distant city lights dance softly on the water brightening mood with the promise of the coming day.

An intersection ahead offers choices. To keep on my current path seems an assurance of remaining on schedule, a sure continuance of the almost-comfortable, but unsatisfying status quo. But an unseen force calls, offering the hope of a brilliant sunrise. A simple left turn answers the unseen, yet strangely familiar voice. Minutes later a tranquil God-created oceanscape reflects the dawn ascending in an uncertain horizon of promise. What a glorious, unexpected revelation in a place usually ignored under midday circumstance; deep shadows of haunting light obscure the dock’s cluttered disrepair. Fishermen answer their calling on the docks above reflections of heavenly glory painted by their Creator, their optimism fueled by a brightening sky.

The experience surrounding the creation of this photograph parallels my own spiritual journey and memories of the gut-wrenching realization that I was on the wrong path in life. Just as I turned left at that intersection, I eventually answered the call of God’s insistent invitation to ever-lasting life. Answering the call changed destiny. Thoughts and dreams came alive as the path changed from the world’s destination to that of a loving God intent on calling me home. There is still real and often difficult work to be done, along with times of disappointment and sorrow. But the purpose of the work has shifted. No longer am I trapped in the tunnel of night remembering human frailties. I have been lifted into an ever expanding dawn-light on the horizon seeking direction in the context of God’s will and the grace of his daily forgiveness.

Unquestionably, his word reveals that he shares and eases our burden in the light, but are we adventurous enough to answer the gospel call to change and face the unfamiliar and challenging life in Christ Jesus? Are we willing to admit our past sin and misdirection in the face of certain emotional upheaval and ask for forgiveness? We must make the final choice between the status quo path to a dark and lonely life without God, and his persistent call through the narrow gate toward redemption and regeneration. The choice is ours.

Read Matthew 7:7-14 (ESV) online

Author Profile:  Ron is a professional photographer turned author, graphic designer and webmaster. His first novel, Dear Walt, was published in 2008. He is also responsible for the design, implementation and content for several web sites.