There is truly a time for everything, and fall is no exception.
Fall is quickly coming, and it is a time that is enjoyed by many. As someone who grew up in the South, fall only lasts a short time, yet it is something we always look forward to. The crisp air, the colorful leaves falling, and the upcoming holidays make fall a simply wonderful season. Since fall is approaching, it is important to be aware of Scripture that talks about fall and welcomes its coming. Whether you are a fall lover or not, we can all benefit from these beautiful verses that welcome fall:
1. Ecclesiastes 3:1
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens" (Ecclesiastes 3:1). This Bible verse welcomes fall in the sense that it tells us there is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the sun. For the present time, fall is approaching and this verse welcomes the season with open arms. There is truly a time for everything, and fall is no exception.
As someone who loves fall, I cannot imagine living in a world where there was no fall. We have four seasons; spring, summer, fall, and winter. God designed the world in this way in order for us to have a taste of all of the seasons. Depending on where you live, you might have seasons that come in a different order and some places might not even have all four seasons. Nonetheless, there is a time for each season and the very fact of the changing seasons attest to this truth.
Just as there is a time for everything, there is a time for life and death. The writer of Ecclesiastes shares with us that there is a time for life and death as well as mourning and joy. As I mentioned, fall is my favorite season and I have many joyful memories of this time of year. However, that doesn't mean I don't have any pain associated with this time of year.
My mom passed away in the fall month of October. It changed fall for me that year and every year since. The changing of the leaves and the crisp air that bites the skin now reminds me of the days leading up to my mom's death. There is beauty in the fall, but there is also pain. This is what the writer of Ecclesiastes wants to convey for us. Yes, there is life, but there is also death and none of us can escape this reality.
With fall approaching, try to welcome it, yet also keep it at arms length. It is a beautiful time of year and can leave you with many lasting memories. However, it might also leave you scarred with lasting heartbreaks. This is how we should approach every season because we can never be quite sure as to the events that await us. As a little kid, I associated the fall with pumpkin patches, trick or treating, and wearing a warm coat, but now, I associate it with the pain that is associated with beauty. It is a beautiful season, yet there is still much pain behind the clearer, crisper days.
2. James 5:7-8
"Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near" (James 5:7-8). James 5:7-8 is another Bible verse that welcomes fall. As James says in this passage, the farmer is patiently waiting for his crops to grow, which is done through the autumn and spring rains. Without the rain, the crops cannot grow.
James connects this with us being patient and waiting for the Lord's second coming. Just as the farmer patiently waits, we too are to wait for the Lord's return. During fall time, not many of us are working in the fields or waiting for our crops to grow, yet during biblical times, farming was one of the top professions. Many places around the world today still rely on growing their own food and they eagerly await the fall and spring rains.
The next time you see a fall rain, remember the Lord and think about His return. The fall is a beautiful time of year and it reminds us of the beauty of creation. The leaves are falling off the trees in preparation for winter. During winter, everything goes dormant until spring. Spring is almost like the resurrection, bringing everything back to life. Fall is an important part of this cycle and something that is truly beautiful to our eyes.
Just as the beautiful fall sky, leaves, and memories will leave a lasting impact on us, we can count them as nothing compared to the joy that will be ours at Jesus' second coming. It will be a day of joy that will never be equaled again. As you watch the fall rains this year, think about the Lord and His promises. We don't live without hope. Instead, we have lasting hope, security, and comfort in our Savior.
3. Psalm 107:37
"They sowed fields and planted vineyards that yielded a fruitful harvest" (Psalm 107:37). Psalm 107:37 is another Bible verse that welcomes fall. Similar to James 5:7-8, this Bible verse is talking about the harvest. The harvest was important to the people during biblical times because it was how they had food. Once again, this can be hard for many people to relate to, but it is something we need to try to understand. The harvest was a major event because it meant you were going to have food to last the winter.
There were no grocery stores or supermarkets during biblical times. If you were going to have a good harvest, it was only by God's hand. As the psalmist says in his passage, the people sowed their fields and planted vineyards, and they were able to reap a wonderful harvest. All of this was only because of the Lord. God is the One who brings rain on the land and enables plants to grow. Every blessing and every good thing comes from His hand.
As you welcome fall this year, reflect on thankfulness. Give thanks to God for your daily provisions, such as food, water, and shelter. Not everyone has these same blessings. It doesn't have to be Thanksgiving in order for you to give thanks and be grateful. Each day this fall, you can welcome fall as well as give thanks to God for all that you have. Even if you might be going through a troubling time, there is always something to be thankful for.
Write down a gratitude list and add to it each day. Be creative and think about all the little things. Thank God for the beautiful skies, the cooler weather, and the colors of the leaves. You can go deeper and thank Him for salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life. These are all lasting promises and gifts that we should never overlook. Just as the Lord gave the Israelites a plentiful harvest, He has also blessed us in many ways and fall is a great time to reflect on this truth.
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