Sermon On Autumn

Margaret Elizabeth Sangster, an American poet, author and editor once remarked: "Spring is beautiful, and summer is perfect for vacations, but autumn brings a longing to get away from the unreal things of life, out into the forest at night with a campfire and the rustling leaves." James 5:7 confirms: “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.”

Autumn is defined as the season after summer and before winter, in the northern hemisphere from September to November, and in the southern hemisphere from March to May. As winter rapidly approaches, the winds of the jet stream may increase significantly. It is the time of year when the fruits of the harvest of God’s bountiful crops are usually reaped to provide food and nourishment for all dwellers on Earth. Joel 2:26 confirms: “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame.”

Autumn is often a mellow time before the stark unknown realities of winter take hold. It is a time of vibrant colours, as the lush green leaves clinging to the trees gradually change to orange, yellow, red, purple or golden brown before gracefully and majestically giving way, letting go and gently falling to the ground to conserve moisture within the trunk which will prevent dehydration during the crisp winter months ahead. This allows the opportunity for the trees to gather strength and revitalisation in preparation for a new year of growth and flourishment when the season of spring eventually dawns. As the mornings and evenings turn cooler, and that certain chill in the air slowly develops into maturity, a distinct new form of life takes shape. It is time to gradually let go of the fervent and green days of summer for yet another year. We welcome in the new darker colours of autumn with their natural beauty, the often misty mornings that replace an early and warm sunrise and a feeling of change takes shape in definitive contrast. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 reminds us: “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

Flourishment is essential not only in plant or tree life, but also in the human body. Job 14:7-9 reminds us: “For there is hope for a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease. Though its root grow old in the earth, and its stump die in the soil, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put out branches like a young plant.” Consistent growth with God is important in our relationship with Him. We need to remember that all the gifts, that we so readily accept as provided by nature, are given by the grace of God. Although it has often been said that what we sow is what we reap, there is really nothing without God. No matter how hard we have laboured, no matter how much care we have nurtured, the fruits of the soil could be destroyed in a swift blow. We need to give thanks for His gifts. If we take things for granted, we only have ourselves to blame if our endeavours do not come to fruition. Our present-day actions are those that shape and define the future. Jeremiah 5:24-25 reminds us: “They do not say in their hearts, ‘Let us fear the Lord our God, who gives the rain in its season, the autumn rain and the spring rain, and keeps for us the weeks appointed for the harvest.’ Your iniquities have turned these away, and your sins have kept good from you.”

Most seasons each have an individual power for growth and productivity. Probably the least amount of activity is encountered within the winter months. These could be considered as the dark and bleak months of rest or hibernation. However, these are necessary to complete the normal cycle of life. Just as sleep is important to all mankind and animals, so periods of dormancy in plant life are essential for rejuvenation purposes. Genesis 8:22 confirms: “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.”

As the trees shed their leaves, these provide sustenance for birds when food may be hard to come by. The fallen leaves in turn, can help aid the soil structure and generally improve its health. As the leaves decompose, the remnants may provide an element of pollination for new growth. Elizabeth Barrett Browning, an English poet once poetically defined autumn as: “Go, sit upon the lofty hill, And turn your eyes around, Where waving woods and waters wild Do hymn an autumn sound. The summer sun is faint on them - The summer flowers depart - Sit still - as all transform’d to stone, Except your musing heart.”