The tree has turned crimson in this season of brilliance that leads to the season of loss when all that remains is skeletal. Even now her high branches undress, letting go of her headdress, leaf by leaf. But certain ones cling, resisting the chilly wind trying to rip them off. They decorate the twigs pointing high to the pearly moon shining in blue sky. This is their testimony to the truth: if we look upward, our eyes can see beyond the temporary moment we call “now.” And we can choose to relish the changes coming soon. The moon is waning, one side dark. But let the weeks fly by and then a full moon will grow back to view! The tree will lose its autumn glory and rest in welcome winter snow, its branches coated by the cold until spring comes and baby leaves will come to life, greening the world. We know it’s true: this too shall pass whatever loads us with distress; seasons change, and promises remain. Look upward and relax in hope! We just went through a critical moment for our country. Some rejoice; some grieve. No matter your reaction, this is like the time that seasons change and move on to the next phase.
When I saw the sugar maple in front of our house losing its top leaves, I was intrigued by the way the branches that were slowly going nude were like a fan pointing up toward the sky. And when I lifted my camera that morning, I saw that just above the tree was a waning moon. The fan was pointing it out, speaking to me: “Look up! See what else is changing!”
And it reminded me of what Paul wrote about courageously moving ahead in his ministry no matter what challenges would come. When we know the truth, the good news that Jesus is our Savior and that his light shines in the darkness, we don’t hide it. Instead, we live it out, realizing that the way we move forward reveals that knowing Jesus is what has changed us. Yes, we just “jars of clay,” which is a way of admitting our personal weakness. When we keep pushing ahead we are showing that our strength comes from him, not ourselves. And no matter how hard it is, we know that this is a passing season. What lies ahead is totally worth the current struggle!
Your position in this time of upheaval may set you in a fragile situation in some contexts. The is this : keep listening to the Spirit who guides us, or in other words, “fix your eyes” not on what you see in the world but on the hope that keeps us going: There will come a time when everything will be made new, not only cleaned up but changed forever by our Lord. For now, we must not pin all our hope on what we see and hear in this world. Things change. Seasons move on. But we are to fix our heart’s eyes on eternal truth, on the God who loves us and is always at work. We must acknowledge what he is accomplishing for his purposes. And doing this, we continue forging ahead in the ministry he gives us, shining his light—not ours!—into darkness.
13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Cor. 4:13-18 NIV)
