Leaning Into Autumn!

Technically, the first day of fall arrived during the early evening hours of September 22nd. But we have had such dry conditions and warm temperatures for weeks that the trees waited until a month later to begin showing their fall colors! On our way to church yesterday, we caught a glimpse of what is in store for the closing few days of October! As we passed the city’s wastewater treatment plant on the north side of Springfield, we could see nature leaning into autumn.

Hello, Fall!!

I prefer spring and summer, but reluctantly embrace fall. It’s not that I don’t enjoy the brilliant colors, unseasonable temperatures, and getting outside (without choking humidity!) for walks and short road trips to see the harvesting progress of area farmers. What tends to steal my joy, in this short season, is that I think I know what’s ahead… those four-letter words… cold and snow! I just can’t lean into winter, although I know it is part of God’s plan for nature’s cycle.

It always amazes me how the trees have this internal mechanism for determining when to stop producing chlorophyl and protect the remaining leaves while it reabsorbs sugars and nutrients needed for long winter days. While we are enjoying dropping temperatures and getting the most out of shorter days, nature responds, at just the right time, to trigger the transition to the next season!

People of faith should be amazed by the beauty of it all as God’s plan for our earth moves forward! This is the Heavenly Father’s world! It is governed by the Creator, who created all this beauty, out of nothing, by speaking it into existence. “And God said, let there be…” light, sky, sun, moon, stars, waters and dry land, plants and animals, man and woman! That’s a simple summary of Genesis 1-2. “And God saw that it was good and He affirmed and sustained it!” (Genesis 1:12, AMP).

Some say that one of the lessons from autumn is the matter of letting go. We must let go of our presuppositions. We think we know what is ahead, but do we? In the Bible’s “roll call” of the heroes of faith, there is an often-repeated refrain, “By faith…” Eugene Peterson explains, “The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd. By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word, what we see created by what we don’t see.” (Hebrews 11:1-3, MSG).

There is something sacred in the rhythm of the seasons, especially the transition from autumn to winter. This God-designed process reminds us that change is inevitable. We can resist and complain about it, but in the end, it proves to be another season for us to grow in our trust in God and His wisdom for our lives. He knows the details of the way ahead and more importantly, He does not waste anything! God is developing us and always getting us ready for what He has planned for us!

Letting God be God should not be hard at all when we consider how great His faithfulness is to us. While we can see that many things are not good in this fallen world, we know that He still speaks His peace into the chaos! We must claim this great promise for life’s uncertainties, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28, NLT). Our faith is firmly anchored in our God who is loving, good and gracious, and works with purpose in our lives.

Let’s get outside, in this season, and celebrate what God has done. Be grateful for the bountiful harvest of soybeans, corn, and wheat! Grab a lawn chair or find a bench at the local park while these temperatures are still holding in the seventies. Read your Bible or a favorite book, practice mindfulness and being quiet, or pray and meditate. Take in the birds chirping, the leaves rustling in the light breeze, and the squirrels busily storing away their acorns. These are ways to lean into autumn and thank God for the beauty of His creation!

Mike Keppler, retired pastor,
active churchman and
doting grandparent.
Contact: drmjkeppler@gmail.com
©2018-2026 All rights reserved.
Serve by Design. mjkministries.com

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