Colors of Autumn

Rhinelander, Wisconsin in the fall. This shot achieved from inside a moving vehicle. I like it because it looks as if the foliage was done in watercolors.

As you can see from the date on the photo, it's been a couple years since I've been there, but I'm bettin' their colors are as gorgeous as ever. This is my favorite season. I love the colors of  autumn. Not just simple statements of color, but shades and hues from within our color wheel line the highways and back roads of Wisconsin. The farther north you travel, the earlier and faster the seasons change.

Golds, greens, reds and oranges highlight the face of every tree. No accidents in nature here; just a reflection of our creative God brush-stroking His way across the country. God loves color. In His heaven, in His world, in His people colors are evident.

Bold strokes of color are splashed across each sunrise and sunset. And each one is different. Now, think of how many times the sun has risen and set in just your lifetime. We only have a few flowers so far in our garden, but I love to see how other people have set up their own little worlds of color, too. I love the colors of spring, summer and fall. I love the purity of new fallen snow in winter, even as it highlights ice crystals on glass.

Many of us embrace beauty and color in our world, but we seldom embrace each other with such delight and joy. We enjoy changes in nature more easier than we do changes in other people or ourselves. We are more than intolerant of other nations and cultures, we are afraid and hateful. It is our nature to be paranoid and distrustful because we are adults who have made it this far in life despite our adversities. But I leave out one important thing: I can overcome adversity in life because I have a committed relationship with Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, who died on the cross with the weight of my sins upon His shoulders. Hate and paranoia nailed Him there, but Love held Him there. For me and for you. I have a continual relationship with Jesus Christ, the living Word of God, Who rose from the grave after defeating Satan, after taking the keys to both death and the grave. I can embrace my days and nights without fear, without paranoid thoughts, because I have a future that is both here and now and later with the King of kings and Lord of lords.

It is through the eyes of love that we embrace people who are different. It is wise to be wary and cautious, but not at the risk of losing the opportunity to show you my Jesus and how He lives and moves in me and through me.