You don’t get old without a few bumps.”
–Cliff Hudgins (Viejo and the Outlaw)
“Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.”
–Proverbs 16:31 (NLT)
—————————————-
Back in the saddle again, or perhaps I should say back behind the desk. The fall equinox was last week, and I was somewhere on the road so I will take the time now to look at Fall. It has been my favorite season of the year. The World Series, hunting season, and the beginnings of the great holidays all take place in the Fall.
This morning I want to share with you some things I read while on my trip. The headings are from a writing by Alicia Searl.
There is a great promise found in Genesis 8:22, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease’ (NKJV). As we enter the Fall season we can see this truth. Fall reminds us that seasons change. “The earth is groaning, and life is slowly decaying.” This is seen all around us and Fall brings it to our attention. However, never forget–God controls and changes the earth’s seasons–He does the same in our lives. Once I could run all day, I could venture up in the high country, the altitude not bothering me. Now, in the autumn of my life, I don’t move as quickly nor am I quite as agile as I once was. My mobility is on the lam. Fall reminds us that nothing remains forever. Everything changes; the world is in constant change, but God never changes!
Fall reminds us of the harvest season. “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 5:9, NKJV) Work has been hard, training and experience has taught us many lessons. We have been careful in our labor, the harvest is near, it comes in the Fall. To have a good harvest there must be care and nurturing in the growing and planting seasons of life. Thanksgiving is a great reminder of the harvest; it is a time of blessing, and a time of thankfulness.
Paul writes in Romans 15:13, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (NKJV) Often in the fall of the year with the holidays grief can reappear. Some get depressed and distressed when thinking of others in the past or events of the past. Instead of gloom we should smile at the good times we had, and more importantly look forward, holding on to the promises of God for the future.
“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever” (Psalm 118:1, NKJV). The season of Fall invites us to count our blessings. Make it a routine to daily count your blessings, but during this special season take time to really do so. Look at what the Lord has done! I think of my recent trip with all the miles and wonder at the hand of the Lord in His protection, guidance, and care for us. I looked around as we traveled, thanking Him for the wonderful country, the plains, the mountains, the forests and the canyons. He has given us bountiful blessings, reflect on them!
Finally, Fall helps us hold on to an eternal perspective. Paul tells us to, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (3:2, NKJV) Yes, we are wonderfully blessed here on earth, but it is nothing compared with what is to come. “If we really lived with an eternal perspective our lives would change.” I have heard it said over the years that a person can be so heavenly minded that he is no earthly good. But take notice: it is only when a person is truly heavenly minded that he is earthly good. We need to set our eyes on things above, not what is here in this life. Holding on to this life will only bog us down. We must be kingdom-minded. We must see the mission we were given, and remember that in the autumn of our lives the main mission will not change, the means, methods, and mode might however. As our body changes like the seasons, let us grasp on to the eternal hope in Jesus Christ.