SCRIPTURE: Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 ESV
THOUGHT: Whatever is lovely. That phrase of Paul’s has always stuck out for me. Loveliness is a study, and it blesses me each time I think about how God used Paul to instruct us to be watching for whatever is lovely and when we find it, to keep it in our hearts and minds alongside things that are true, honorable, just, pure, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise.
The glory of autumn is one such thing. Spiritually, it teaches me about the rhythms of God; that aging can be equally glorious with youth, just in a different way. We love the spring for its fresh green of grass and leaves, the renewal of earth, the flowers, the warming of the earth. But we love the fall for its rich hues of red and gold, and the leaves that come swirling down revealing views we haven’t seen for months. In the valley where I live, we begin to catch glimpses of the mountains that were hidden, and it is that way with aging too. As life becomes more stripped of the things we’ve held onto for security and significance, we catch a larger view – our vision becomes more about eternity and less about today.
More than anything, autumn teaches me that even on the way to death, nature gives of itself freely. In the autumn of my own life, I’d like to be like that. Strong. Lovely. Self-giving. Fruitful. Fallen leaves that becomes protection and nourishment for future generations. Perhaps the leaves are turning and cascading down, but there can be grace and loveliness in that too.
PRAYER: Oh God, help me hold on to whatever is lovely. Show me the spiritual beauty in everything you have created.
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Blogger Amy Clemens is the author of Walking When You’d Rather Fly: Meditations on Faith After the Fall. In it she explores childhood sexual abuse and how it impacted her faith (or lack thereof) for four decades. You’ll find not only her story, but better yet, the Big Story of God.
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