Beautiful, Yet Dying

So, I am starting this blog with the last paragraph from my las blog post because when I was writing I wrote this one and the last one together. This upcoming paragraph ended my last thought and also picked up my first thought and how I wanted to go forward. It has taken me a while to get in the groove of things but I think I’ve finally gotten a handle on it. So here you go, hope you enjoy.

How can something be so beautiful when it’s dying? I have often wonder this when looking at the leaves changing colors. They are breathtaking. But they are on their way to shedding their leaves and hibernating for the winter. Everything is dying, yet it’s so beautiful. I don’t understand why that is. However, it makes me very thankful that God can make something beautiful even when it is dying. It makes me think of my own life. When I am struggling to understand what God is doing, or why I’m going through the things I am, the autumn season reminds me that God has a plan. And though I may feel like I am dying, He is still making me beautiful.

I don’t always know why things in our lives happen as they do. I don’t know why people go through difficult things. I don’t have the answers to people’s question of “why?” But this I do know, God has a purpose for everything He does. We don’t have to understand the why of it, we just have to know that He is working. Just like the trees that go through different stages of growth, we are put through stages to test our faith. Sometimes we have to deal with a struggle within our own lives in order for God to be able to fully work through us.

I can’t pretend to know why God puts me through things. Or why certain people deal with more than others. I know that God is testing some people, while other people have made their own choices and that is why they deal with some of the things they do. When I say God is testing us, I am talking to those that are saved. Those that have at one point in their life believed on Jesus Christ as their Savior. Those that have believed in His death, burial, and resurrection, and believe that He was seen of men after His resurrection. Those are the people that God tests. He allows them to go through things to see how they will respond, and whether or not they will come out of the difficulty triumphantly or not. Our attitude going through difficulties is huge. It can motivate and inspire others around you. Or it can destroy those closest to you. God doesn’t put us through hard times to make Him happy, or to bring Himself any kind of pleasure. It’s for our benefit. It’s to make us stronger. To see how far we are truly willing to follow Him.

My youth pastor has a phrase that he says all the time, “If Christ died for me, then the least I can do is live my life for Him.” And how true that is. God doesn’t ask for much, just all of you. Is that really too much to give? Especially once you have realized how much He has given for you. I have decided to follow Jesus, if none go with me still I will follow. No turning back.

Remember, autumn isn’t the last season. Winter comes and most things do die. But just when you think things can’t get any worse, or colder, another blizzard hits and leaves you with four extra feet of snow. And you think, “That’s it, I quit. I’m moving to Hawaii and never looking back.” Things always get worse before they get better. It’s like the golden rule. And then spring comes and with it, new life. It’s the same way in our lives. Things are bad and then they get worse. And when you think the worst is behind you something else strikes. Just remember spring always comes again. And the things that were dying are now growing and beautiful once again. So when that last snow storm hits, be prepared for an even bigger one to follow.