Autumn Rush

Yeah, for those of you who've seen the recent movie, August Rush, this is kind of a corny play on titles. However, there is a point. At 10:44 pm (central time) last night, the season changed. (Amazing how it can happen in a moment!) Yup, Summer gave way to Fall and I paused before bedtime to look to the night sky for my old friend Orion. No, he hasn't shown up yet, and won't for a few weeks, but old patterns seem to follow the seasons.
For instance, with the arrival of Autumn comes several changes. A big one for me has always been a trek into the woods to get the ole deer stands in order. Hunting season is here. (Haven't done that one yet, Lita!) The other is the semi-annual cleaning of the garage in preparation for winter. (Haven't done that yet either..hmm) Then, a guy needs to start thinking about the great fall fishing at Smithville lake, Thanksgiving Turkey, Christmas, and eventually the bowl season of college football. Man, there is so much to do and so little time.
But Autumn speaks to me of spiritual things as well. It speaks of steeling the mind and spirit for a long winter....and I hate winter! Those terrible, snowy, cold, days of shortness drive me crazy. I'm a spring-guy, summer-thriving, lover of life, not a sit-around-and-shiver-dude. Yet the changes of the calender reflect seasonal changes in our walk with Christ. Thankfully, there seem to be more periods of fresh life and newness in our spiritual journey than times of cold, dark loneliness. But the dark times seems to stand out as being bigger. Why? Because we remember pain more than we remember health.
Just as seasons change in nature, so they change in life. Therefore, it is wise to use the time we have and prepare for those long, dark winter moments. A little spiritual house-cleaning goes a long way in removing the clutter that builds up around our faith. A little hunting after God does much to build up our faith-supply. A little expectation for great things to come keeps us going.
James said it this way: "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. An when endurance has had its full effect, you will be perfect and complete, lacking nothing!"
I guess that means I need to get with it.....how 'bout you?
Pastor Jim