I do believe that fall has fallen. Actually, in the south, fall just keeps on falling over and over again. Just when I think we have seen the last of eighty degree temperatures, here they come again. It is surprising to me how many poets do not like autumn. Bryant wrote; “The melancholy days are come, the saddest of the year”. Alison asked the question; “Who at this season does not feel impressed with a sentiment of melancholy?” Me, for one! I think poets may just tend to be sad and melancholy much of the time.
Rather than sad or melancholy, the word that comes to my mind when I think of fall is “relax”. The Bible repeats the phrase “rest in the Lord” many times. It seems easier to give myself time to rest or relax as fall begins. Perhaps this is because there is less daylight so we don’t try to pack as many activities into each day. The cooler evenings seem to be saying “slow down”. The Lord even told the farmers of Israel to let the land rest every few years. If dirt needs to rest and relax, then I suspect we do as well.
The twenty-third Psalm is a favorite of many people because it so perfectly pictures God’s desire for us to “chill-out” once in a while. Just look at how determined God is for us to do this.
“He MAKES ME lie down in green pastures; He LEADS ME beside still waters. HE RESTORES my soul; HE GUIDES me…”.
Many of us have been taught by our society that we should be rushing around twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week. In fact, we actually brag about our busy schedules. They seem to make us feel important. But they do not “restore our soul”, or even our mind, and body for that matter. If we will only learn to “rest in the Lord”, then He will “lead”, He will “guide”, and He will “restore” us. We have His Word on it!
Bro. Dennis