Autumn Colors and the Promise of Eternal Life
Autumn’s brilliant display of colors will likely reach its peak in the coming week, so be sure to take one more opportunity to breathe in the landscape and reflect once again on the beauty of the earth.
It’s hard to imagine how anyone could witness the magnificence of creation and somehow not believe in God. Sure, there is plenty of science to explain the various changes that take place in nature, but there has to be a higher power in control of all of it, and those of us who believe know exactly who that is.
Many of the leaves have already fallen from the trees, and by this time next month, just about all the trees will be barren, with the exception of a few leaves that somehow manage to hang on through the winter and into the spring.
There are a number of autumn metaphors that relate to our faith, beginning with the transformation of the leaves from deep green to bright red, burnt orange, bold yellow and a host of other colors. We could look at this process in the same way we view our spiritual journey as we progress from a passive beginning to a passionate and glorious climax.
We could also take note of the fact that as everything in nature evolves — from the birth of spring to the growth of summer to the harvest of fall to the finality of winter — Jesus our Savior remains the same — yesterday, today, and forevermore. He is our rock!
And then we look at the leaves after they fall, twisting and turning in the wind until they are gathered up and ultimately incinerated, and we wonder if we will experience the same fate. Then we remember that God so loved the world that he sent is only son, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Suddenly our angst and fears fade away, and we rejoice in our relationship with Jesus because we know that as we progress through the four seasons of life, there is light and hope and joy and peace at the end of the journey.
Enjoy the beauty of this season while it lasts. Take time to view the grandeur of God’s creation, and take heart in the promise of a happy ending that is actually a new beginning when we will be reunited with our Lord in the beauty of His Father’s Kingdom.
Until We Meet Again, Be Blessed! – Pastor John