God made four distinct seasons that we enjoy – Many of you would probably choose Fall/Autumn as your favorite time of year (It's my favorite when asked as well because “Autumn is a second spring where every leaf becomes a flower!”) However, in truth, there is joy in EVERY season – each distinct one has its own beauty and gifts. Likewise, we should also learn to find the BEAUTY in EACH of the seasons of our lives -- I think of SPRING as the SEASON OF DELIGHT ... SUMMER as the SEASON OF DESIGN ... AUTUMN as the SEASON OF DEPTH ... and WINTER as the SEASON OF DORMANCY (or) DESIRE. I'd like to look at the Autumn Times in our lives -- the seasons of change -- when God can teach us so very much about His faithfulness.
Autumn is a Season of Depth – the Season of Intensity and Intention; the harvest season when we reap the fruit of our labors.
Autumn also marks the transition from Summer to Winter and is marked in our region by the slow, beautiful change of green foliage to vibrant reds, oranges, yellows, and purples. Daylight becomes noticeably shorter and temperatures cool considerably. This is a time of exquisite handiwork and beauty of our Creator. Yet, there is also a sense of melancholy or possibly a sadness in knowing that this beauty is coming to pass because of death – leaves are dying and dropping from the trees while gardens, plants, and foliage are getting ready for the coming coldness of wintertime.
For the Christian, there is a beauty in dying. The Bible teaches us the paradox truth that it is in dying that we truly learn to live.
For the saint of God, death itself is precious as it is a gateway to the glories of heaven. The psalmist himself realized how intimately God cares, especially in matters of life and death: when he penned the words “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints,” Psalms 116:15
I believe this is the season of our life where we can enjoy the beauty of learning to let things go – trusting the Lord to use the things that have dropped from my life to nurture future generations.
During the many seasons of our lives, we might not be able to do all the different ministries that we have enjoyed in the past; God might ask for me to let something go that I have loved – He might even take it from me by a tragedy or a trial. Let’s give them gracefully, give them beautifully, letting them drift down to the feet of our Saviour as precious gifts.
According to Britannica: Why Do Leaves Fall in Autumn?
"In temperate regions of the world, autumn is marked by the brightly colored foliage that slowly drops from trees and shrubs to carpet the ground. But why do some plants shed their leaves before winter? It turns out autumnal leaf drop is a form of self-protection. While evergreen plants in cold climates have thick waxes and resins to protect their leaves from freezing and fracturing, deciduous species generally have thin leaves that are susceptible to cold temperatures. Since water expands when frozen, the tender leaf cells would rupture during the winter, making them useless for photosynthesis. Without dropping these leaves, such a tree would be stuck with thousands of unproductive appendages and no way to make food! As if that weren't reason enough, the surface area of all those leaves would also pose a threat to the plant’s physical integrity. Winter months are often windier than other seasons, and the wind against the broad leaves on a cold, brittle tree could cause major breakage. The same goes for the weight of snow collecting on all those leaves. Finally, by the end of summer, many leaves are insect-eaten, diseased, or otherwise damaged. Dropping them gives the plant a fresh start in the spring, and the nutrients from the decaying leaves are recycled to help grow the next leafy generation."
We can trust the Lord during this Season of Change. Change is uncomfortable. Change can be painful. Each season of life has struggles but choose to find the blessing and beauty in each day.
Philippians 3:7-15 “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you."
John 12: 24 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit."
There is a distinct beauty in dying to self and allowing Christ to produce "much fruit" through us, trusting Him to use what falls from our lives to help grow the next generation.
Remember: God has a plan and purpose, creating this season of life especially for you.
Written by Lydia Riley
Seasons of Life Publications
Lydia is a lover of all things "home" and also enjoys speaking, singing, and writing for Christian ladies and local churches. She is also known for"chasing color" during peak color seasons of the Southeast.
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