The Beautiful Fallen Leaves!

A few days ago, as I was going to get into my car, the brilliant red leaves on the maple trees in our neighborhood and on our property caught my eye. The sunlight was hitting the trees in such a way so as to make their leaves glow with that deep red color that they had become. I stopped, gazed, and even took a few pictures for the beauty was almost overwhelming.  After a couple of days of rain and colder weather, however, almost all of those same beautiful leaves are now on the ground, leaving the trees pretty much bare.  What was once a thing of astounding beauty has become a chore (i.e. the blowing and raking of the fallen leaves!) and a reminder of the turning of the seasons. 

The before and after!

For me, those beautiful fallen leaves are also a striking reminder of the temporary nature of life. They remind me that, even the most beautiful things in life do not last. Oh, I don’t mean to be pessimistic, merely realistic about our world and our lives. For if we fail to see and understand the temporal nature of life, we can end up investing ourselves into the wrong things and relying too heavily upon things that will ultimately fade away. 

Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” He then says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21 – NIV) 

If we are not careful, we end up making the temporal things of this life our treasure, thus putting all of our effort, energy, time, and resources—the whole of our lives—into things that will one day pass away. Jesus’ words are a challenge for us to trade the temporary treasures of this world for the eternal treasures of God’s kingdom. Thus, Jesus goes on to say, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things (i.e. all the things we really need in life) will be given to you as well.”  (Matthew 6:33) 

I want to encourage you today to make sure that your life isn’t filled with a bunch of seemingly beautiful leaves that will one day fall and fade. Rather, make sure you are investing your life into that which will last into eternity. 

“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”  (1 Peter 5:4 – NIV) 

Have a great day! 

Pastor Tim Harris