The changing seasons are a strong reminder of the order of the earth, and the limits of mortality. The trees have started changing in their autumn finery, before fading into a dull brown and falling. The autumn winds and rain will tear away those few leaves that cling so tightly to their branches. The symbol of death will be seen in the bare and dormant trees.
And, in a half year will come the vernal equinox. Precursors of Spring—the early blooming flowers will fight through the snow (if there is any), and grab our attention proclaiming, “Life is here! See!” Soon Robins will return with other birds. Flowers will proliferate in a riot of color, Christians will celebrate the Resurrection which emphasizes the burst of Divine Love upon the human scene.
In between will come the long dormancy of winter—with its rain, cold, and snow; which will give us all an excuse to complain or to flee with the other “snow birds” to gentler climates—or both.
How good it is! What a wonder is creation. How fabulous is life in its millions of manifestations. How rich are our lives as we move from infancy through childhood to young adulthood, parenthood, middle life, and finally into that final glide path where at any day to another dimension.
Best of all is the spiritual qualities we can now develop: calm, peace, relinquishment of anger, gossip, faultfinding and narrow selfishness. How sweet it is to see the bigger picture and find our way to employ our words, our energy, our money and our influence to helping others, to working for justice, to touching others in such a way that it is healing for them and for us.
In the 19th century Methodist Circuit riders and other very ardent and committed clergy went from place to place preaching the Gospel. From that time came easy-to-sing, catchy songs and hymns that—for some of us–are imbedded in our very being. One of them is: Living for Jesus, a life that is true, striving to please Him in all that I do; Yielding allegiance glad-hearted and free. This is the pathway of blessing for me. O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee, for Thou in Thy atonement, didst give thyself for me. I own no other master; my heart shall be thy throne My life I give henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone
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