Day 11, Tuesday, November 26
Read:Philippians 4:4-9
Whatsoever things are lovely … think on these things. (v. 8)
Loveliness is a study, and it blesses me each time I think about how Paul instructs us to be watching for whatever is lovely and when we find it, to keep it in our hearts and minds alongside whatever is 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 grass and leaves, flowers, and earth, brimming with life. 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 we live, we begin to catch glimpses of the majestic mountains that were hidden. 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. Lovely. Self-giving. Fruitful. Fading strength that becomes protection and nourishment for future generations. Perhaps my own leaves are cascading down, but there can be grace and loveliness in that too.
As you pray, ask God to help you hold onto whatsoever things are lovely, showing you the spiritual beauty in Autumn.
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I enjoyed your November devotionals. You came back just long enough to whet my appetite!
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Haha. Thank you, Bill! I would like to post a little more often — but don’t know how I did it for almost 5 years!
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I get it. Trying to come up with something new every day would be challenging!
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