Autumn has two faces. It brings about cooler weather just when many are mourning the pleasant memories and comfort of summer.
It comes with shorter and shorter days but requests fewer lawn cutting. It brings about death to plants while it produces harvests in our gardens and fields.
Autumn is a tremendous metaphor of sanctification – the process in which God makes us like Himself as we cooperate in setting certain things aside in favor of the deliciousness of His holiness.
“Death” must snuff out subtle selfish ways, sinful habits, stubborn mindsets and outright willful disregard for God’s laws. As this painful process rubs our flesh like a cheese grater, we begin to see the harvest in the soil of our souls.
God’s weeding and pruning stabs our ego. As we cooperate with The Maker of Autumn, He can use us to feed those in dire need of fresh crop of direction and love. We’ll notice that the crisper air of our witness awakens others.
Yes, autumn indeed cuts two ways. As we become more in-tune with the metaphors of fall, we become more comfortable with the idea that death and life are inextricably woven into our diligent God’s deserving harvest of our hearts.
PORTAL TO HEAVEN: In a sense, fall summarizes man’s fall and rise. Observing the stunning metamorphoses through leaf-peeping, pumpkins and proud gardeners and farmers helps us harvest the crop of hope through this death-to-life scenario that visits each autumn.
…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose… Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.
Philippians 2:12,13 (NIV), Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)