God's Word

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. – Romans 1:20.

Fall is one of my favorite times of year. I enjoy helping my dad harvest on the farm when I get a chance, my wife’s homemade apple pie, leaves changing colors, football games, the list goes on and on. In my spiritual walk I have found that all the things I enjoy about Fall are much more meaningful when I understand that the goodness of creation points beyond itself to the Creator. How do leaves changing their colors point beyond themselves to the Creator? They point to the faithfulness of the Creator. When leaves change color and fall we do not fear that they will not bud again in the Spring. We have seen the changing of seasons many times and count on it. Through the changing of leaves God is saying to us “I am faithful.” Fall is also a beautiful time of year. The Creator could have made a dull world full of gray and monotony, yet He chose to create a world full of vibrant colors where no two leaves are the same. The Creator is telling us He is a Creator who is beautiful. This includes not only aesthetic beauty, but moral beauty. When we see an act of moral beauty such as a simple act of self-sacrifice for the good of others we are getting a glimpse of the Creator’s moral beauty.

It is good to know that we will notice more beauty when we are intentional about it. Being intentional could mean keeping a beauty journal for a week and writing down all the moments you witness aesthetic or moral beauty. It could mean keeping a photo journal. Taking photos of natural beauty you see right where you live may open your eyes to all the beauty your Creator has surrounded you with. Being intentional could also simply mean being more open this Fall to let the beauty that surrounds you turn your heart towards the Creator.