I love the fall season. No, that’s an understatement. I genuinely love this time of year. I love the way the sun shines differently throughout the day. In the morning it rises radiantly, almost sparkling. I love fall sunsets and the way the sky slowly dims, rich with warm hues of orange, yellow, and pink. I love the crisp, cool morning air and drinking coffee as it enters my room along with the sunlight. I love watching football and baseball in between as I do schoolwork. I love wearing warmer clothes in the mornings and evenings and changing into shorts and short-sleeves in the warmth of the daytime. I love the various colors, especially when I look at the trees and fields beyond campus. Sometimes I see colors I’ve never seen before. I love driving without heat or air conditioning, just the windows down. I love watching the corn turn into fields of gold-the straight rows so dead and so beautiful. My running route goes along a few cornfields, and sometimes I’ll close my eyes when I go by. The breeze weaves it way through the rows, moving the leaves, and I pretend I’m running in the rain. I love observing the harvesting process from afar. I love homecoming festivities on campus. I love pumpkins- carving them, roasting pumpkin seeds, and baking pumpkin pie. I love fall-scented candles and fall-flavored coffee and desserts. I love crunching leaves when I walk on campus or run. Although I love the other seasons for various reasons, the fall holds a dear place in my heart. I seriously love this time of year.
It seems like fall really arrived these past two weeks. The change in temperature and colors got me thinking, why don’t I welcome personal change like I welcome the different seasons?
As humans, we’re creatures of habit. We like our routines. We like being comfortable and familiar with our surroundings. We resist change if it’s possible. We don’t embrace it. We don’t accept it. But change is a part of life. Not only that, but God uses change to glorify him.
I don’t like change. I often forget the changes in my life that were good, and recall more quickly the ones that were not so easy or fun. God is changing me. I can feel Him redeeming me from a sin that I have struggled with for several years…and I don’t like it. I don't like change, and this is a big one. I’m afraid because I feel like I’m losing control. For years He has asked for my trust. He just wants me to believe that He’ll take care of me and that he has it all under control. This is a significant change in the kind of mentality I’ve had for so long.
Are the colors of your world showing signs of a new season? Embrace it! Take it all in. Let God reveal Himself to you. Let Him draw you nearer. Let whatever personal king of change that God is directing within you end in a way that will bring honor and glory to Him.
