Faith, Culture & The Church
"In Him [Christ] you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit."
(Ephesians 2:22, NIV)
(Ephesians 2:22, NIV)
UA-115346459-1
The colors of Autumn are my favorite. The varying shades of greens, golds, reds and browns captivate me. Wonder and awe still me when I find myself on a trail adorn with a palate of these hues. Whether I am walking, running, or driving down roads that hallmark the end of summer--the change to harvest season--I notice creation’s pure, raw, stunning beauty. Such beauty is always there, but fall beckons me to take note.
And I wonder, how is it that dying can be so beautiful?
Why, when the leaves are destined to fall, never to return to life on the tree, did God decide they should display such majesty in the process?
Yes, the leaves will decompose and bring life to other plants, animals and trees. So there is great purpose in their death. But why make the whole process so stunning?
And, again, wondering overtakes me.
What if the allure of exquisiteness found in the forest trees of fall is really my heart being drawn to the reminder of another death that saved my life. A death that took place on a cross. From earth, this death looked gruesome, brutal, and unfair. A leaf falling never to return to life on the tree again.
A death that looked like a loss, but birthed my salvation.
Perhaps Autumn is the reminder that dying can bring life. A call to remember that God is making all things new all the time. And the process to him is beautiful and purposed.
Perhaps these naturally marvelous colors I love are here to remind me to choose to step into seeing the beauty in dying to what was only meant to last for a season. These leaves falling around me help me to also let go of what was only for the days past, admire what new things lie ahead, and glory in the beauty of the process.
How about you, what do the colors of fall help you see?
When you look around at the change of season, what changes in your life do you need God to give you the strength to see as beautiful and purposes?
Ask Him to show you, and trust that because he is faithful and gracious, He will.
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