Autumn

As I sit here thinking about this year, it is hard to believe Autumn is upon us and the leaves will be drifting to the ground.  Even though the year has quickly gone by, I still am able to thank God for all the blessings he has given us, all the prayers He has answered and for the life we have been able to live.  It brings to mind the scriptures from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: ² A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; ³ A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; ⁴ A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; ⁵ A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; ⁶ A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; ⁷ A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; ⁸ A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

 These verses cover all situations that have been encountered so far this year or will be encountered in the next few months.  God is always there for us. He never leaves us nor forsake us.  Because of the hope from these few verses we can look forward to rest of the year.

 We are almost to one of the busiest times of the year.  The time of year that I am referring to is the Holiday Season.  The holidays are quickly coming and winter is just around the corner. It’s time for me to sort through the items I have purchased over the last few months for Christmas.  I will be making my lists and checking them twice.  We will start planning parties and family gatherings.  Our calendar will be full and we will stay busy until after New Year’s.

 Through all this I have to keep myself in check and keep my eyes on Jesus.  I have to remember to think of those who may not have family or friends to celebrate with, those who may not have food to eat, water, or heat.  God has blessed us and we are to be His hands and His feet.  We are to apply the above verses to our lives.

 Let’s take for instance how we can use this time of the year to build others up.  We can show God’s love by helping to meet others needs.  If you don’t show them God’s love first by taking care of their needs, they won’t see the need to believe there is a God that love’s them.  We have to remember we may be the only Bible a lot of people will ever read.

 As we enter this last part of the year and begin to look forward to the holidays ahead just look to Jesus.  Just as the lyrics of that old hymn says:  “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”