I'm mesmerized by the beauty of autumn. While I appreciate and enjoy each of the four seasons, there is something about the glorious transition between a hot and sticky summer into a cool, crisp fall.

I believe the highlight of fall is admiring the changing of vibrant and deep green leaves to breathtaking hues of gold, red, orange, and brown. Those leaves will drift from the outstretched limbs of towering oaks and cedars  to create a covering on the earth below. The wind will often catch them 'mid air and whirl them about, as though dancing playfully, before falling slowly to the ground.

In one sense, autumn represents the passing of life to death -- it is the season preceding winter, a time of tranquility where God's creation lay quiet, dormant, and often covered in a blanket of pure white snow.

I believe this season to be one of letting the old pass away. This is a season of change. What, within you, must "die" and be blown away in order to pave the way for a new season? You see, the beauty of change is that where once there was death and decay, new life is promised to spring forth.

Jesus, we pray with a desire to die to our sinful nature. We know that only in this death can new life, abundant life, spring forth. Give us a desire to draw nearer to you, to know you more. Give us a desire to put off all that hinders us from keeping in step with your Spirit. Give us a vision for the lost, those who do not know your name and life in you. We commit to putting our hope in you, Lord -- not in ourselves, not in leadership, not in our pastors, not in our President... but only in you. You alone are worthy!

Amen.