God’s Splendor

One of my very favorite things to do in the Fall is to take a trip through the countryside to view the magnificent colors of the season. Nothing compares to the grandeur of God’s artistry. When time allows, we travel to the southern part of our state and visit Brown County, IN. The hills are abundant with brilliant colors; the lush verdant countryside appears to have been painted in splendid vibrancy by the most talented artist ever. And, it has been!

This majestic landscape, no matter how lovely, is short lived. The peak beauty is usually in mid to late October depending upon the current weather and has occasionally lasted well into November. Decreasing temperatures with cooler nights and shorter periods of sunlight cause the drastic changes. Suddenly, the vibrant colors diminish and turn into a drab brown. The soft falling leaves without warning become dry and crisp, and trees are whisked into barrenness.

Have you experienced a similar occurrence in your life? Enjoying life to the fullest with family and friends, excited to awaken each morning, when in an instant everything changed. Now the day is dreaded and company unwelcome. Left to wallow in your discomfort, life is no longer fun. Cheer is replaced by worry and fear. Take heart, my friend, those trees will brighten again. Tiny buds will develop into a leafy wonder as the branches fill once again. Shades of green transform to brilliant oranges, yellows and reds – and ultimately once again to lifeless brown. Over and over again.

Be encouraged, dear one, that you will be lifted from your valley once again to the mountaintop. Oh, I know that the stunning yellow hickory tree leaves in my back yard that I look forward to each Autumn will fade, turn muddy brown and disappear, but I also know that next year that marvelous color will return. Did you know that trees must shed their leaves to live? They must retain water before the harsh winter arrives to be able to survive, so they shed the leaves that pull water from the branches. Your trial is necessary for survival and prepares you for the journey ahead. I Peter 1:7 brings hope by declaring, “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”

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