October 6, 2008
Autumn
Leaves
It's
autumn in New Mexico. In
Albuquerque the leaves are a bright golden yellow. Since most of the native
trees here (at least those that shed their leaves) are poplar, willow and birch,
yellow is the color we see. We don't get the magnificent colors that many places
do up north, but our Autumn has a beauty all its’ own.
Being
in New Mexico, it could stay relatively nice right up to Christmas or it could
drop to freezing and snow before the end of the month. Or it could be some
constantly changing mix of the two.
We
never quite know what to expect so we enjoy each nice day as we get it.
Life's
like that. Things could be beautiful for a while, or the bottom might fall out
of your life. Your life might be a roller coaster of highs and lows from day to
day or week to week and you're never quite sure what to expect.
Some
worry about what the next day is going to bring, even when times are good. Will
the good times continue? Will things fall apart? If they fall part how long
before they get better again? If things are bad we worry too. Will they get
worse? How much more can I take? How will I manage?
In
good times or bad, some people manage to find something to worry about. I've
heard it said that some are such good worriers that 90% or more of what they
worry about never happens.
Jesus
told us to lighten up.
"Therefore
I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about
your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the
body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow
or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you
not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour
to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field
grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his
splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of
the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not
much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, `What
shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?' For the pagans
run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be
given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will
worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Matthew 6:25-34 NIV
We're
not in control. We can't change most things or prevent bad things from
happening. God is in control, that's His department. He knows all about it
before it happens and has a plan to deal with it.
There's
no way that I'm going to get up tomorrow and suddenly be faced with a worrisome
situation that God didn't plan for. Heaven is not going to grind to a halt as
God ponders "Now what? That Darrel! He's always coming up with things I
didn't plan for. Okay, rewind creation so I can work this all out!"
It's
foolishness to think of God in those terms. If that was the case, He wouldn't be
God.
We're
called to rejoice in the midst of whatever is going on around us.
Rejoice
in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident
to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the
peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7 NIV
Even
in the midst of pain and grief, we can rejoice. God is there and He's in
control. That's a reason for anyone to rejoice.
Until
next time. Rejoice. Rejoice and again I say rejoice.
Be
blessed
Darrel
Mason