Falling Fall Foliage

Breathtaking. Simply breathtaking!

My friend at church, Gary, waxed nostalgic as I told him I was heading to Michigan for the month of October. His eyes alight like a kid at Christmas, his change in posture was all I needed to know that it is his favorite time of year and the memories of being here warmed his heart like a fire glowing in the season. And now I fully understand why.

My first time in such a place, I too feel like a kid at Christmas, gasping at the rustling, rusting foliage falling like golden snow at my feet. Standing in the gentle breeze at the forest floor, the wind at the treetops whip through, plucking the ripe leaves ready to flutter to the forest floor. It is as if the leaves are preparing the way for flakes of snow to soon sink similarly from the heavens as well.

For my evolution friends, I desire to posit a question. Of what evolutionary value does such a change serve? What would cause some tree's leaves to only yellow, or run the gamut from red to orange to yellow to brown? Why would trees develop such a strategy? Is this transition just a chance of random chemistry? Is it some quirk of nature just for 'fun'? Or could it be that The Designer wanted to point toward His own majesty and creativity?

So often I hear preaching (like yesterday) and others speak of the visible world versus the 'invisible' spiritual world. I say nay. The visible world boldly speaks to and demonstrates the reality of the spiritual reality! I do not have to press hard to see and know such realities, and the longer and deeper I look, the more apparent the cacophony of the visible and true the eternal kingdom appear. With all its wonder and awe, the visual world is a pale and pointed perception of what awaits those of us who choose to look deeply and discover the fingerprints of the Almighty Creator as we leave footprints along this path of life!

My footprints wander through the forest of fall, surrounded by the golden carpet of fallen fall foliage. My heart melts in worship to my God who designed and crafted every detail in every leaf, in every tree, in every breath of wind. My life a wisp, this snapshot of eternity and the awaiting glory warm my heart reminiscent of standing before my bride some 28 years ago. Surely her beauty, I thought was at it's pinnacle, only to discover it was only a hint of the amazing beauty that would unfold as the years progressed. As I press toward my eternal home, looking back on all that has filled my heart to overflowing, all the glorious beauty forged as I walk toward this eternal kingdom, I sit in wondrous expectation for what remains here, and what will be there.

It would be easy to be enamored with the beauty of the falling fall foliage, stopping there, and feeling satisfied. Don't stop here however, open your eyes to see the glory of The One who designed it all!!!