Seasons of Life

Autumn is my favorite time of the year. The heat and humidity of the summer is passing and cooler, more temperate weather has arrived. It is a beautiful time to be outdoors to enjoy the splendor of God's creation. We are able to see stunning signs of God's handiwork all around us. This past week, we experienced the au-tumn equinox, one of only two times in the calendar year when the sun's path is passing directly over the equator. On this, and the spring equinox, we receive equal portions of daylight and darkness. Unfortunately, the beginning of autumn doesn't last for more than a fleeting moment, as the days will now continue to get shorter and shorter through the days leading up to the year's end. Although this rhythmic cycle happened countless times before, it's still hard to believe that in just a few months, the temperatures will be much cooler, perhaps allowing for some snow to fall. The leaves on the deciduous trees will have changed color and fallen to the ground. In a spiritual sense, we also go through seasonal cycles. And that process will likely happen many times over the course of our lives. Sometimes we find ourselves in a period of new beginnings, similar to spring. Yet others, we find ourselves in a growing sea-son, like summer. Sometimes we find ourselves in a season like autumn, with the sense that significant change is coming. And sometimes we find ourselves in a season much like winter, when all seems dormant around us and perhaps we feel alone. Catholic mystic St. John of the Cross spoke to that kind of feeling when he addressed something called "The Dark Night of the Soul." He de-scribed it as a time when it seems as though one is living in spir-itual darkness. A time when God seems distant or far away. The-se are not easy times for people. It is in those moments that it's helpful that a new set of seasons is just around the corner. From death, new life emerges. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says: "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven." Take comfort in knowing that no matter what season of life you find yourself in, know that God is working out His purposes for the world in every part of your life! Grace and Peace, Pastor David Rittgers September 22, 2016