One of the facets of autumn that I love is the view we get to see of God’s handiwork through the changing color of the leaves on the trees.
Ruth and I, when on vacation, spent some time in the northern part of the state and the patchwork quilt of God’s creation was breathtaking.
If you can remember back to your school days, (for some of us it is quite a long journey back…) in biology class, we learned that when the length of daylight shortens and the temperatures get colder the leaves of many trees change color. The chlorophyll in the leaves breaks down and the dominant color green, is replaced with the splendor of the various colors associated with the tree species. The remarkable truth is that the fall colors are always present in the leaves but for most of the year a tree’s true colors are masked by a great amount of green coloring. Although the shading varies, it is possible, to a degree, to identify a tree species by the changing color of its leaves.
This seasonal process grants “Leaf Peeper’s” the enjoyment of viewing God’s handiwork in His creation. When the true colors of a tree are evident, we get a small glimpse of the magnificence of the Creator, who expresses His love for diversity evident in the various colors represented.
As disciples of Christ, we need to allow our true colors in Christ to shine for the Creator’s glory. Too often the brilliance of the Creator’s handiwork in our lives is masked as we desire to live our lives in a sea of conformity. We would rather just blend in with others around us rather than shine with the brilliance of our true colors as a child of God. Imagine God’s delight in viewing His handiwork displayed in His disciples when we forsake sin in our lives and allow the Creator’s glory to shine brightly for all the world to see.
Today as you consider pausing at noon to Bend-A-Knee in prayer may you ask God to give you the courage to allow His true colors to be evident in your life for His glory. I pray that every time you view the magnificence of God’s creation this fall that you will be reminded of bearing your true color in Christ, and not allow sin to mask your identity in Christ. May you display the brilliance of God’s handiwork as His disciple.
Stay connected to God & to others
God’s Peace,
Pastor Mike