As this summer season turns into Fall, we begin to see the subtle changes that come with the most beautiful season of the year. As the leaves begin to turn into magnificent hues of red, yellow, & orange, we marvel at the timeliness and beauty of the season. I’d like to share a few things that I have come to appreciate about the most beautiful gift that God has given us – Nature. Ecclesiastes 3 says “to everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heavens.”
Do you know what I admire most about nature? Harmony. Year after year, God has blessed me to experience the most beautiful symphony of change that there is -- the changing of the seasons. We may even take it for granted because we KNOW what’s going to happen and we EXPECT it to happen every year without fail. We admire its beauty without having to do anything special except BELIEVE that we will RECEIVE it. Sound familiar?
Spring brings forth the RENEWAL of nature. The flowers bud, animals come out of hibernation, and the weather warms to begin the growth process. The rains come to nurture the seedlings so that everything becomes beautiful and bountiful. The birds can be counted on to sing their songs of praise to God at the rising of every sun. Spring makes me think of Hebrews 11:1…the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not yet seen. Spring can also be likened to the scripture in Romans 12:2: “Be not conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Spring reminds us to avoid getting stuck in complacency. In order to evolve, we must grow spiritually.
Summer brings with it the PROMISE (Genesis 9:13) of increase and manifestation (Leviticus 26:4, Galatians 6:9, Deuteronomy 6:3). In due season, we shall reap the rewards of our prayers. What a celebration! Remember what it was like on Christmas morning as a child? All year long we waited for this special day. We were so excited about the gifts we would receive that we could hardly sleep! We must remember to keep that same level of excitement when we pray. Don’t just pray – feel the excitement and celebrate the manifestation of your prayer!
Winter used to be my least favorite time of year (I used to live in Chicago…brrrrrrr), but I’ve learned to appreciate its special beauty. Everything is taken down to bare bones. Naked. Winter reminds me that I arrived to this world NAKED and will return in the same manner (Job 1:21). It is only in this season that nature is stripped down to its simplest form. Everything in nature is vulnerable to the whims of winter. It is a time for reflection and stillness. We must still our minds and remain centered on God and His purpose for us. Our acknowledgement of the presence of God helps to direct us to our path in life. "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:9).
Fall. This is my favorite time of year -- 1) because I made my debut in the Fall of 1959 and 2) because it gives us the most clues about how to live a life of purpose. Even though this season symbolizes death, it’s not the kind of death to mourn but the kind that makes room for new birth. Falling leaves reminds us to not fear death, but to embrace it (Psalm 23:4). Death is the one true constant in life. We all have an appointment to meet with it, but once we understand the true nature of God, we no longer have to fear death (John 14:2, Job 14:13).
The cooling of the temperature indicates change. We cannot get through this life without change. It is inevitable. In some areas of the country, this change is more uncomfortable than others, but the drop in temperature reminds us to prepare ourselves for the cold days ahead (Luke 1:17).
Nature reminds us to be obedient. The seasons change every three months without fail. This is obedience at its finest (Romans 16:26).
Our magnificent Father has given us everything that we need to live an abundant life. Nature should not be taken for granted. It is infused with clues as to how we should live. We are not separate from nature – we ARE nature. We can live our best life knowing that God’s hand is unchanging. He provides us with what we need over and over and over again. We are reminded throughout scripture that we can TRUST and BELIEVE in his plan for us, whether we know what it is or not. This tells us that we can lie in hope no matter how dire our circumstances. Psalm 30:5 “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning”.
Blessings to All,
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