Autumn is such a stunning time of the year, when the trees turn such vibrant colours, and then the winds start to blow and the leaves begin to fall. Keats wrote his famous poem ‘Ode to autumn’ starting with the line ‘season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’ and it is a gorgeous tribute to the sensory richness and symbolism of the season. The variety of colour and textures and sounds are mesmeric.
I love autumn, the multicoloured carpet of leaves on a frosty morning, the deer on the hills, the robin hopping about under hedges. There also seems to be a message that seasons will always come and go and that change is inevitable.
As human beings we are often resistant to change. Whether it is upgrading our phone or improving our diet, or changing job or moving house, we often have a yearning for tbings past. We often experience a deep sense of loss, and grieve old certainties and people no longer with us. We feel like the tree in autumn who has lost all her leaves, but somehow is still standing.
Change can be so painful- especially when it is uninvited or unexpected. We can go through stages of shock, denial, hurt, anger and bargaining. We ask God why He let it happen? If He is good, loving and all powerful, why do some people suffer so much?
These questions are as old as the hills, and we can give some theological answers- God has given us free will, we live in a fallen world, suffering of one kind or another comes to us all. Yet on a personal level, these answers can seem too detached and remote.
An insight might come from Jesus Himself. The Bible says He was the very Son of God, yet His teaching and life which embodied goodness, compassion and justice brought responses of jealousy, slander and violence from many of those around him. He died on a cross, sentenced to death because of betrayal and the brutal whim of a crowd.
Jesus’ example helps us, because He understands suffering, even the darkest experiences of abuse and violence. And so He understands our pain and suffering, whatever we have been through. He sees us, He weeps with us and never gives up on us, and wants to hold and to heal. We are so blessed to have such a gracious Saviour. We are never alone in the dark, we never have to do things all by ourselves. Jesus brings love, healing grace and hope.
And the vision of heaven in Revelation 21:3 and 4 reminds us that one day there will be a new beginning. John wrote;
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
What a beautiful vision for the future! Meantime here on earth, change is inevitable, but Jesus walks with us. He consoles us when we are hurting, He gives us courage when we hesitate, He invites us to keep moving forward. He sends His Holy Spirit to enable us to navigate change, even when it is painful. And He invites us to trust Him, to place our lives in His hands come what may, until that ultimate day of new beginnings in God’s nearer presence.
Gracious God, in your presence we feel like small children, mourning the loss of the past, uncertain about the present, hesitant about the way forward. In our fear and sadness, we cry to You for help. In your mercy, You listen to our cries, and remind us that Your precious Son understands us, and gave His life to bring us forgiveness. His crucifixion was painful, cruel and unjust, yet though it, somehow love overcame. When we are questioning and feel alone, Lord Jesus remind us of your presence, and that while things in the world ebb and flow, Your Word is our guide, your love is steadfast and You are worthy of our trust. Grant us the blessing of your holy spirit to bring direction and purpose to our lives, to help us to trust even in days of bewilderment and grief. And so may we go forward in courage and peace, for Jesus sake, Amen.
