“Fall….What A Shock”

What is your favorite time of the year… Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter ? If I had to choose one, I’d say Fall…. but I do love Spring…okay, I like Winter and Summer too. Each season has its special beauty and wonder. 

When we returned from the Jersey Shore the other day, we were shocked by how much the leaves had begun to turn…. a decided  difference after only 5 days away. 

Why do leaves turn color in the fall?  I recently read that “the pigment that causes leaves to be green is chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is important for plants to make food using sunlight.  In fall, plants break down and reabsorb chlorophyll, letting the colors of other pigments show through. This is why leaves turn yellow or red in fall.” Hmmmm, so the beautiful red and yellow colors are always in the leaves, but the green color prevents them from being seen. I find this very interesting. Perhaps it’s connected to how the Lord sees us. Sometimes our flaws and sins (our chlorophyll) can prevent our inward beauty and value from being seen. It takes a real master to be able to see our “potential beauty”. God has this gift and parents need this gift in regards to their children. 

Another interesting point is that the chlorophyll doesn’t begin to break down until the temperature drops…. it seems to shock the tree causing the process to begin. Sometimes we need a shock to get us to change. Most of us don’t like shocks, but it may be what gets us going.  

So, let’s ask the Lord what is the current shock, which I may not particularly like, that is bringing out some hidden beauty in my soul? Hmmmmm…. maybe it’s the assignment I just received, or the poor evaluation I got at work… maybe it’s the conviction of sin in my life that has surprised me. Maybe it’s the frustration I’m experiencing with the coronavirus or the election squabbles … things that are a shock to my system. Yet, maybe God wants to use them to challenge me to greater holiness. 

The next time we’re admiring the beautiful Fall foliage, ask God what shock he’s using to bring out beauty in my life? And remember ” Let all proclaim to the glory of God that Jesus Christ Is Lord.” (Phil. 2:11)