Why I Love Fall

“The reason why many are still troubled, still seeking, still making little forward progress is because they haven't yet come to the end of themselves. We're still trying to give orders, and interfering with God's work within us. ”
― A.W. Tozer

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

This time of year is one of my favorites. I love the colors that come out in the trees which have been hidden all year long. It's so beautiful I could sit and just stare for hours at the new spontaneous canvas God has created. I also love the reminder that comes as the trees begin to lose everything which made them magical. Everything that created the sense of awe soon disappears and the trees are left bare. What God gave, He soon takes away. C'est la vie.
Why would I love this depressing thought you may ask? Well, it's a convicting reminder for me of so much more. Too often all I see is what I once enjoyed in the splendor of it all. I see only the comfortable things. I see only all the "good" things and the obvious blessings. Those things are good and I'm thankful for them, don't get me wrong. However, when they are taken away, I cry out "Why me?!" instead of asking "Why not me?". I know where true hope can be found. I know where to go for comfort, strength, wisdom, and guidance. The world does not. I know what the worst thing is man can do to me. I know that the world can only kill my body, but they can never kill my soul which is secure for all eternity. In other words, the worst that can possibly come will never outdo the best that is sure to come. Since I know this, why not let these temporary trials fall upon me so that through me, God's provision of strength and comfort and grace can be made known in these hard times and cause others to glorify Him even more?!

We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. 2 Cor 6:3-10

The science lesson I learned long ago still amazes me now in how it applies to our life of faith. Once the trees have lost their leaves and you think they are simply sleeping for the winter, the real growth is actually happening below the surface where no one can see; their roots are digging down. So it is with us. When we've been stripped bare of all our "stuff" and nothing is left but us and God that is when we really dig in deep. It's when we stop doing and we start growing. It's when we stop caring so much what everyone else thinks because we only have eyes for ONE. Sometimes I forget to be thankful for these times. I forget to see just how much grace is provided in the dead of winter and the wanderings of every wilderness. He never leaves us though, does He? (pun totally intended). His steadfast love endures and He renews us once again.

As we go through the seasons of life, may we grow deeper with Him so that His light shines brighter in the world. Whether our trees are full or bare temporarily, may we always find our arms stretched high and roots dug deep just like the mighty oak. May our lives be a constant reflection of His Amazing Grace to the world around us.