The turn and twirl of the leaves and the crisp, clear skies herald autumn’s triumphal march over the light and life of summer.  Saying farewell to the fat and warm months and welcoming the lean and cold ones to come has always been part of human life.  Perhaps there is an echo of this move from abundance to austerity in our country’s financial situation too; a similar chill wind blows even now that hints at winter and harder times to come.

But, as we brace ourselves for change in climates both atmospheric and economic, there is a sense of wholesomeness as the new thing arrives and rings the changes.  The sun and the clear blue skies that are so common in summer, change to become rare jewels, solitaire-like in the golden hues of autumn’s setting.  The scarcity of the things we love makes us realise how precious they really are.  The death of autumn and the long sleep of winter make room for new birth and fresh growth, uncomplicated and unhindered by what went before.

Change is part of God’s wise rule of our lives.

 Jesus tells us that change is at the very heart of what it means to be right with God.  God holds out to us the promise of forgiveness and a life full of meaning and bursting with good things that goes on into eternity.  But to have what God offers we must recognise the nature of the gift, it is something impossible to receive just as we are. We must change, turn around, repent.  We must know that we can not be good in God’s eyes by our own efforts; only through faith in Jesus are we acceptable to Him.

God commands people everywhere to turn to Jesus as both Lord and Saviour.

There comes a time for us all when everything that has gone before seems to fade as a new season of life approaches.  It seems that all our past experiences and everything that comes after will be eternally enriched or impoverished by the choice we make in that moment.  A spring of new life and joy awaits all those who turn to Jesus.  And an abundance of delight and peace and wholeness will reward all those who come to rest at last in the summer garden of the King of Heaven.