Here it is October already! Whether we like it or not, Fall is upon us. Kids have returned to school, the temperatures are cooling, and it won’t be long and the furnace will be running at home. Nature will begin to go into its dormant cycle, and we will witness the colorful display of change around us. While I prefer summer, I cannot deny the beauty of Fall. I also cannot deny the dread of winter, which of course will follow Fall.
There is so much to celebrate in every season. God has blessed us with ample opportunities to see beauty throughout His creation. We can find it in nature. We can find it in people. We can find it in church, and, of course, we can find it in the grace of salvation. There are times when beauty can be more difficult to find, or it is less obvious, and we need to search for it. (This can especially be true when it comes to finding beauty in people!) We just must look harder. We are all part of God’s creation, and therefore we all have an inherit beauty and value. I know that some circumstances might make this more difficult. There are those who are influenced by evil, and it is hard to see beauty in them at all. But Jesus will.
If we want to be Christlike, we must too. As difficult as it might be, we must really try. Jesus found beauty and value in all of God’s creation, even to the cross. He was put to death by those seeking to do evil, yet He forgave them and asked His father to do the same. Why? Jesus recognized that because His killers were part of God’s creation, part of God’s plan, there must be some beauty and value in them. Afterall, Jesus wasn’t put to death to accommodate the hatred of those persecuting Him. No, He was put to death because He was the only sacrifice that could be given to atone for the sins of mankind. It was His divine blood that washed away the sins of all who would seek redemption in His holy name. It was His agony and death that made restitution for us and brought beauty and value back to us.
There is beauty in everyone. Hopefully it will be seen and not covered or marred by evil. Hopefully, as followers of Jesus, we will see the Son shine through the darkness that might sometimes hide the beauty in others. And if we can’t, let’s lend them some of ours!
I pray that all of you beautiful people find happiness and good health. And I thank you for allowing me to bask in your beauty for the past year! God bless each and every one of you!
Pastor Gerry