autumn

Of all the seasons, autumn is my favorite. (...) Those leaves are part of it. What color, what artistry! Crisp, frosty mornings also help. What a refreshing change from oppressively hot afternoons and sweltering nights! Then there is a helpful return to routine as schools starts. And along comes thanksgiving, a nostalgic reminder that God has indeed "shed His grace on thee" The firewood is cut. The pumpkins are getting bigger. Our hearts are overflowing.

Let`s think of autumn has a season of reflection.  Time to gain new perspective. To stroll along the back roads of our minds. To think about what. And where. And why. Such visits through the museum of memory never fail to assist us in evaluation the way we were and establishing the way we want to be. This implies change, another reason autumn seems to represent a season of reflection. It`s during this season the foliage changes. And the weather changes. And the time changes. Birds make their annual journey southward. Squirrels finish storing their nuts. Salmon start their phenomenal swim back to their spawning grounds. And many of the larger animals take their final stretch before curling up for a long winter`s nap. With incredible consistency, all these creatures in the natural world act out their individual pageants without external instructions or some script to follow.

Quietly, without flare or fanfare, God graciously moves upon our lives, taking us from summer to autumn, a season when He mysteriously writes His agenda on the tablets of our hearts. Patiently He waits for change begin. Without exception, it does. And we reflect on that as well.

Has autumn arrived in your life? Think before you answer. Close your eyes for a minute or so and consid what God has been doing deep within your heart.

 

" God Who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in His grace until His work within you is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns. " (Philippians 1:6)

 

At the root of God`s agenda is this promise. Think of it as a guarantee. The One who started "the good work within you" won`t leave the task unfinished. At the end on the course, God won`t get an "incomplete."For sure, He won`t fail! Remember, it takes four seasons to make a year.

The autumn of your life may be uncomfortable, unemployment might be your lot. Or a broken romance. Perhaps you are grieving over a recent loss. Maybe you`re lonely. Or hungry. or cold. You feel anxious about those ugly clouds on the horizon that indicate an ominous tomorrow. The winds of adversity are picking up and you feel afraid. Well... "the roots grow deep when the winds are strong."

If autumn, the season of reflection, has come, expect your roots to deepen. Count on it. Yet, be assured of this, The Lord God specializes in roots. He plans to deepen you and strengthen you. But He won`t over do it. He is sovereignly and compassionately at work. We are more impressed with the fruit. Nor God- He`s watching over the roots. We like the product, He emphasizes the process. And painful though it may be, "He Who began... will kepp right on... until His work... is finished." So we can boldly declare, "Come wind, some weather, welcome autumn!"

[Charles Swindoll, in "growing strong in the seasons of life"]