Seasons

Images of God: Builder

Today’s scripture: Psalm 102:25-27 (NRSV) (NLT)

As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two before reading on.

My thoughts (Pam Beutler):

This is my favorite time of the year. Each season has its own special flavor — but autumn to me is extra special. For many years, I would camp in the Smokies in September. There is so much color in the mountains, the streams are clear and clean, and the nights are magical. Nestled in a valley near the trout-filled stream, I enjoyed clear starry nights sitting around the campfire.

Recently, my car club took a cruise through Brown Country in our 50’s cars. We wound through the hills ending at the Musgrave Apple orchards; the blossoms of summer having turned into dozens of different kinds of apples. There were gentle Indiana winds whipping the golden leaves off the trees and twisting them like little tornadoes along the road. In order to have spring bustling with new life, everything must die or go into a deep sleep. The last hurrah of the year is crackling with beauty and texture.

God gave us a beautiful blueprint to follow. Ultimately we go through the cycles of the seasons in our own life’s transitions. God remains constant, our patient Creator-builder, who watches it all. For the time we are here, God has given us a truly marvelous experience, never interfering, allowing us to grow and change, bloom to our full potential and then come back to God again.

I find comfort that I know God was Always, since the Darkness, and God is with me now. When I am gone, having followed the seasons of my physical life, God is there for all time, with those who came before me and those who are yet to come. For God is constant, always watching, always loving us and those we love, for all seasons, for all time.

Thought for the day: They will perish, but You remain forever.

Today, let’s join together in prayer for: Robbie and Tim, who are both undergoing medical procedures soon. May God grant healing and comfort to body and spirit.

We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. Use the item above as a starting point, or consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.