The signs of the seasons

During fall break, I had the chance to travel to northern Michigan.  If you’ve ever been there this time of year, you know the colors are amazing.  I never get over seeing the yellow poplars, red oaks, and orange maples.  Sometimes the combination is breathtaking.  When the sun hits the trees with all their color this time of year, it makes me glad I live in this part of the country.  But I know this season of the year signals a sign of things to come.

Fall is an indicator that winter is just around the corner.  The days shorten, the leaves will eventually turn brown and fall to the ground, and the white stuff won’t be far behind.  Not trying to depress anyone, it’s just the reality we live in. 

One nice thing about the seasons is that you know each season only lasts for a time.  With every season we are reminded that something new is around the corner.  As beautiful as fall is, winter is not far behind.  And as cold and barren as winter is, spring and new life will soon follow.  Spring will be followed by summer, and then we get to do this all over again.  Seasons are signs of what is to come.

When we talk about seasons, we talk about things like color, snow, anticipated warmth, rain and new growth.  They also indicate holidays, vacations and breaks.  But we also talk about the passing of time, contrasts and even grace.  We see evidence of grace, and God, in seasons.  Just as seasons pass, we can know that there is more of God for us (See “Stay tuned, there’s more to come”), and also know that what is happening to us right now isn’t all there is. 

The cycle of life we go through can be filled with growth and change, ups and downs, good and bad, and pain and sorrow.  These can be seen as, and I’ve heard them called, seasons of life.  You most certainly are in one right now.  We can be assured that the God we serve doesn’t call us to a life that stagnates and dies out, but calls us to one that is vibrant, alive, and always hopeful for what’s next. 

So as you walk across our campus over the next couple of weeks, and see the color that will come and go, let it serve as a reminder that just as the seasons signal that something new is about to happen, we can hope for the same.

Text for the week:  Ecclesiastes 3:1-8