We went for a leaf-peeping ride on Tuesday up to the White Mountains. The peak up there is earlier than ours, and Crawford Notch and Franconia Notch were simply spectacular.
And that’s the way we should think of our God. Simply spectacular.
It was God who made the maples and oaks and birches that burst into such amazing colors in the fall. He is the artist. He is the one who made all things “very good.”
When we see them in sun-drenched glory under a brilliant blue sky, we can say “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil. 4), because God is the creator of the heavens and the earth.
The glorious trees show their bright colors just before the leaves fall off and die. In the same way, Jesus showed His glory on the day He died upon the cross.
The beautiful thing He showed by laying down His life is this: “God is love” (1 John 4). God loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for us so that we would never die but have eternal life.
God’s love is the most important thing in the world. It turns a drab life into a life of joy and peace. His love is so glorious, so beautiful that we can complete Paul’s thought:
“Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Just as Beth and I went to the mountains to fill our minds with glorious fall foliage, so in every day and in every way we can fill our minds with the glorious love shown on the cross.
We can pray to God about anything we need and anything that’s troubling us because we know He will give us all good things, just as in the most beautiful way possible He gave His own dear Son to save us.
We can pray with thanksgiving because our God is good and His goodness is seen in everything He has made and everything He has done. And when we do give thanks and put our trust full in Him, there’s this:
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Only Christ Jesus gives us this peace. Nothing else in this world can give it.
So as you watch the trees turn brilliant once again over the next few weeks, don’t forget to think of Him. He wants to fill you with all good things and give you peace.
Rejoice and be glad.
Written by Jay Trott
