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Dust laden rays settle over our summer’s final weeks. As dusk falls upon our warmest season, a crisp breeze lurks on the horizon. Pumpkin and spice scents creep nearer as the tropical colors fade to a dull amber wash.
Last month’s warm ocean waves lapping at my ankles now recede into memory. Beach chairs positioned at the surf’s edge soon lose the wavetips’ gentle kisses. Waters will abandon or overwhelm a stationary person.
Seasons turn like the tide.
As we approach transitions from one season of life to the next, heart position takes on a critical role. We can remain anchored in regret, allow the new tide to overwhelm us, or get up and remove our chairs.
New seasons require fresh mindsets. Perhaps a summer of quiet reflection has ended, and the time has come to take a brisk autumnal adventure. Where will you position your heart and mind for the coming phase in your life?
“You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.” – Acts 22:15-16
“God shines forth. Our God comes and will not be silent…He summons the heavens above,and the earth, that he may judge his people…’Sacrifice thank offerings to God,fulfill your vows to the Most High,and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.'”
– Psalm 50:3-15
The Maker grins at the sparrow’s warble, an elm branch flourishing its quenched leaves, and the flush of color rising from the atmosphere’s edge at the end of a day. An infinite universe spins overhead in a glorious display of the Creator’s genius. He fashioned every subatomic particle to wrap a masterful design of benefit around His favorite creation–us. God positioned us among a wide array of blessings, and mankind has surrendered an assortment of these in the ongoing quest to please God.
Smile upon us, Lord. See? We return these gifts to You.
We never consider the impact of our gift, but check it off the list. Most of us invest more thought in the purchase of a holiday gift card. Who would bless a fisherman with canned fish?
One type of offering warms a broad smile onto the Lord’s countenance. Our Father delights in sacrifices of the heart and soul. When thankfulness and obedience radiate from within us, life tingles through our fingertips and toes. The Spirit swells into divine warbling and praise and the world around us sees colorful splashes of power. God hears those who live thankful prayers. He receives sincere praise and doubles it back on us in a blessing-drench.
Take a moment to observe the heavens. Consider presenting your heart to the Lord in thankful surrender. What will you do to live your prayer of praise and submission?
Several months ago, I discussed a certain tree with my son. Thin clusters of leaves struggled for air between clumps of moss.
“Did it even bloom this spring?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Hope there’s nothing wrong with it. I love the spray of tiny flowers across the lawn when it blooms.”
As summer dawned, my husband yanked the grey shrouds away from its branches. Rain drenched its boughs and trickled into the earth to quench its roots. Sunbeams renewed the once-veiled tresses. Life blushed green throughout the treetop, and buds exploded in celebration. Blooms carpeted our lawn from mid-summer to the season’s twilight. I now gaze on a lush canopy of flowers and leaves to adorn our home, with no end to its productivity in sight.
My soul has seen such inactive seasons. Wintry doldrums appeared where spring called for flowering. Parasitic issues choked my spirit, but I remained impotent to escape them on my own. The Gardener, Owner of my home and life, came to my rescue. Christ helped me remove the hindrances keeping me in an untimely season of lifelessness.
I am now free to drink Living Water and glorious light through my mind and heart down to the roots of my soul. I look forward to a lengthy time of flowering, to carpet the neighborhood and spangle the crosswinds to faraway lands.
For in Christ, blooming season remains limitless.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener…every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful…No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing”(John 15:1-5).
“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches” (Matthew 13:31-32).
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