I am often a source of entertainment for the neighbors as I walk my dogs. They each are close to 80 pounds and both have opposite agendas. The male Samoyed wants to mark or sniff every last tree, mailbox or fire hydrant. The female Lab has so much energy that she wants to go as fast as possible. And there I am in the middle, pulling one back as I yank the other away from piddle targets.
On one particular fall day, I added yet another task to this already rolling circus; collecting leaves. I would soon be going to Florida to speak, and I wanted to bring the women some authentic Autumn leaves. So there I was with a bag hanging off my arm, as I walked the pups. When I saw some extra colorful ones, I would stop the puppy processional and scoop them up. As I walked, I also prayed about what to speak. I desperately needed God’s direction.
The beauty of Autumn never ceases to amaze me. As I put different types of leaves in my bag, I marveled at their colors and diversity. As I bent down to get one particularly beautiful one, I felt this quiet voice speak to my heart…. ” We serve a God who creates beauty from dying.” Leaves only display their true brilliance as they begin to die. Look at the seed, it dies and then produces what it was created to bear. Jesus’ death looked like defeat, but heaven knew differently.
In all our lives, God is calling us to the beauty of death. Perhaps it is dying to our desire to call the shots instead of following him. Perhaps he wants us to die to offense or need for esteem. Maybe he is calling us to die to fear and anxiety. Right now you may be thinking of a habit, mindset or addiction that you know needs go.
Romans 8:13 says… “for if you are living in accord with the flesh, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” And there it is, our hope and solution; “by the Spirit”. We don’t have to go it alone. The Holy Spirit has promised to be our comforter, our counselor, and our companion. What an amazing promise!
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What a beautiful entry. I am always encouraged reading what you have written. Most of the time I don’t read it right of way. This is because I wait until the Holy Spirit tells me it’s time. And yep, encouraged with just what I needed. You are such a blessing in my life ❤ Linda D.
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Thank you sweet friend!
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My view of leaves was not nearly as warm and fuzzy. They just reminded of another task that needed to be completed. But it was fun to cover up my 4 year old son and let him “pop out” and scare his momma.
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