Fall officially starts on September 22 this year, and it won't be long before we start to see the signs of its coming around our senior living communities. The days will shorten, the tree leaves will turn and autumn-themed events and decorations will flavor our daily lives.
The change of seasons can be an exciting time, filled with annual activities and holidays that we look forward to experiencing. It can also be unsettling if we let worries of the unknown cloud our perspective.
When change appears on the horizon, here are three Bible verses to remind us to keep our eyes on God and the comfort His unchanging promises bring.
While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. Genesis 8:22 KJV
The consistency of the earth's seasons is a reflection of its Maker and the steadiness of His character. James 1:17-19 tells us that: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Our father cares for every one of His creations, from the littlest sparrow to the mightiest leviathan. And He calls us more precious then these. We can rest assured in any time of uncertainty that His love and provision for us will never fail.
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV
Ecclesiastes gives us many examples of seasons we'll face in life: times of birth, death, weeping and joy. The Bible shows us that experiencing good and bad times in our lives is normal and to be expected. Though its easy to hold onto our hope in happy situations, we shouldn't let changing circumstances cause our faith to falter. Jesus promised us in John 16: 33 that: These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
God is with us in every season of our life. When we face the unknown, we can trust that He is in control and working out every situation for our good.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalm 1:3 KJV
Psalms chapter 1 teaches us that by putting our delight in studying the ways of the Lord that we will be like a tree rooted by a stream that produces good fruit. 1 John 2:24-25 encourages us: Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
This month, as we say goodbye to summer and turn our attention to the coming of fall, its harvest and Thanksgiving Day celebrations, let us remember the good plans that He has for us and our future, both here on earth and in Heaven. This focus will create in us a firm foundation that never sways in the face of change.
