I love autumn. The heat of summer is over, and perfect days of just-right weather – not too hot, not too cold. There seems to be a freshness, newness in the air. Oh -the possibilities!

One of my favorite things about fall is the beauty of the changing trees. I missed the fall color when we lived in Nebraska. The lack of trees there meant a different kind of ‘color’ – mostly yellow.

Here in the midwest I love seeing the vibrant reds, the oranges, vermilion and golds.

The thing about leaves is that in order to change color – they have to die. And the years that autumn is the prettiest – its a hard frost that does it. There’s some pretty good spiritual illustrations in all of this! Paul says we must die daily. (1 Cor. 15:31) When I see the trees changing color I think of Col. 3:3-4 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Have you ever wondered about the really vivid trees? The ones that pop out of the sea of other colors? They are glorious in their death. Paul says, When you sow a seed, it must die in the ground before it can live and grow. (1 Cor. 15:36)

I want my life to be like that one, vibrant tree. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death. Then I have hope that I myself will be raised from the dead…I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above(Phil. 3:10-11,14)

All for Him,

Missy