Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame,
and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
It’s autumn in South Canterbury. The marvellous burst of colours that autumn gives to the surroundings is impressive.
As we delight at how autumn changes the scenery from lush green to yellow, red, or gold, we all know that, eventually, the leaves will become crisp brown.
The cold south wind will then blow the leaves away, falling to the ground. The autumn leaf colours will soon be gone.
Yes, we all know the radiant autumn leaf colours are there momentarily. We could see it as nature’s last hurrah or salute to the coming of winter.
I can’t forget what one of my theology professors told us in class one day. He said we must see each day as death rehearsal to prepare us for the appointed time—not because we desire it but because we do not know when it will come.
In Romans 8:36, the apostle Paul quoted Psalm 44:22: “As it is written: “For your sake, we face death all day long; we are considered sheep to be slaughtered.”
Are you aware that, indeed, we rehearse death daily?
Isn’t it true that when we fall asleep at night, as we close our eyes and fall into a deep slumber, we rest whatever ‘life’ we had when we were awake?
Of course, we’re alive, breathing, and having a good night’s sleep, but who knows whether we will be awake the following morning? Only God knows!
Only through His mercy and grace are we alive both physically and spiritually.
Our greatest consolation is that nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.“
It is excellent that when we are in the ‘autumn’ of our daily lives, we call on Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord, so we can calmly live through the ‘deepest winter’ of our lives.
My thoughts and prayers to all of us facing life’s deepest ‘winters’.
May the Lord God Almighty strengthen us as we face sorrow, pain, and other difficulties. May the Holy Spirit protect and guide us all now and in the future. Amen.
PHOTOS CREDIT: Autumn is Awesome by Diane King
look at jonan, u r so far away even our seasons do not sync. when it is winter here it is summer in your place. fall is always a beautiful season.