Who doesn’t love seeing the beauty of the leaves changing color in Autumn?
It always makes me reflect on why God would go to the trouble of making leaves so pretty before they die. I mean, it seems like it would have been easier to just drop the leaves without changing color; or maybe just take all the color out if them: let the leaves turn gray or black as death and let them drop to the ground.
But I think God chose to make Autumn beautiful on purpose.
You see, God loves us. We are His children and He wants us to be happy. (Jer 29:11) Think about the new dad who plays peek-a-boo with his infant child. It is an exercise solely designed to elicit delight in his child. I think God wants to delight us with the beauty he can create. That’s why the Autumn leaves (and sunsets) are so beautiful.
Interestingly, sunsets and Autumn are times that we typically think of as the end (or the death) of something. There are some that will tell you that when you die, that’s the end. When they go to a funeral, they think it is the end of that person’s life. But they will be looking down at the body. That’s just the house you live in while your here. But as Christians, we know another day will dawn; another Spring will come; and after this life is another life spent with Jesus. And God seems intent on showing us, on a regular basis, that what we see as the end, is actually cause for great celebration.
So our lives are not so different from that of a leaf. When we are young, we try to find our place in the world and grow, grow, grow! Our goal is to be big, strong, and productive. But hopefully, you will grow to realize that there is more to this world than just this world. Hopefully, you will appreciate and reflect God’s beauty more and more every day. Become more willing to do whatever God has planned for you — even if it means you have to leave this world to do it. And one day, He will pick you up in His hands and away you will fly!
And won’t that be delightful?!
Shalom!
