Like The Changing Of Autumn Leaves

Aren’t the changing colors of Autumn leaves absolutely gorgeous?  The bright reds and yellows against a backdrop of blue sky.  Bronze leaves covering the ground, making a crispy carpet to crunch beneath our feet.  Every year I look forward to the changing of the colors of the leaves.

But wait — what does that mean?  Autumn leaves only happen as a result of death.  The leaves are dying.  That’s beautiful?  Oh yes!  We can see with our eyes that it is indeed a gorgeous sight to observe.

It’s no different in the lives of God’s children.  There comes a time on earth that our physical bodies meet death.  But, for the Christian, it’s like the changing of the leaves; there is a beauty that comes.  Like green leaves changing to bright red, the longings in our hearts changes to “can hardly wait” to go.

I remember having the joy of being with my father during his last weeks on earth.  The very last week especially, was a wonder to behold.  His whole demeanor was peace, joy, and yes, longing to go.  “I’m going to see Jesus face to face,” he would say, a smile of wonder and anticipation so evident.  Like the glory of dying leaves, watching him was a beauty, hardly describable in words.

Many people fear death; it’s an unknown phenomena; not so for the Christian. We know what’s going to happen.  God’s Word tells us in Psalm 116:15, “Precious in the sight of the Lord, is the death of His saints.”  Why?  Because God knows, when it’s our time to leave this earth, we’re in the Autumn of our days.  We’re being changed, being prepared for our new bodies in heaven where there will no more tears and no more death.  Peace and joy will reign in our hearts forevermore.

A friend of mine contacted me this week to tell me that her mother had passed away.  Her mother had grown frail in body and mind, but had a desire in her heart to be with Jesus.  Yes, for the Christian, the changing of green leaves to Autumn colors in our lives, brings a deep peace and abiding joy.

Let us live each day to the fullest, enjoying the Summer and Spring of our lives with great gusto — but do not fear the Autumn — it leads to the most beautiful time of life yet — and it’s for eternity!