Fall is the best

We live in Minnesota, I was born and raised here, and I have an opinion about the weather.  Fall is the most beautiful time of year; I love the warm fall days and cold nights.  The fall rains remind me that snow is coming and then the spring.  I love the overcast days where you can see your breath and the first snowflakes fall.

One thing I do know is that every Minnesotan has an opinion about the weather, the best time of year, and we have a comment for every type of weather.  Cold enough for you? At least it isn’t humid. We need the rain. Better go to the store, it is about to snow.

We often spend a lot of time thinking about the weather and how it will affect our plans, but in the grand scheme of things one day and its plans can be changed.  God reminds us that His plans are greater than ours in Isaiah 55:8-12.  In all our plans let us remember that God will accomplish His purposes and we should respond in praise.

8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

    neither are your ways my ways,"

    declares the Lord.

9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth,

    so are my ways higher than your ways

    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10 As the rain and the snow

    come down from heaven,

and do not return to it

    without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish,

    so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:

    It will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire

    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

12 You will go out in joy

    and be led forth in peace;

the mountains and hills

    will burst into song before you,

and all the trees of the field

    will clap their hands.

Soon we will be experiencing the songs of the hills and the clapping of the trees, as the leaves turn their varied hues and the hills show how creative our God is.  These changes are a promise from God that His plans are greater than ours, summer leads to fall to winter and the new life of spring.  Each change occurs as a promise of God’s plans for all eternity.

Our plans are small in comparison to God’s plans, God is orchestrating His plans in front of a full complement of master musicians while we are just learning to play the cowbell in hopes to make a difference in this life that we have.  Our plans, no matter how great or small, can be used by God to make an impact in our community.  His plan is to see as many people come to see Him as Lord and Savior as possible.  So He creates rhythms in life to give us work, rest, refreshment, and equipping for service, just as He does with the passage of the seasons.

Do not work till exhaustion, nor rest till death, do not cease to learn about God or stop growing in faith.  Take every day as God intended it, as an opportunity for Him to work in and through you to build faith in every area of life.  Today may be the day your cowbell sounds in the heart of another and they come to know Christ as Savior or are encouraged by your work.  Their praise will join the orchestra of faith that proclaims the glory of God.