Colorado aspen trees in golden glory. Is it possible for death to bring glory and new life?

The Glory of Autumn

           Don’t you love it when fall is in the air? I do. For the most part, the heat of summer has dissipated. Still, you never know here in Nebraska, where I live, when a few stray hot days may come along. Ever year we seemed to reach the 80s at least once in October. That is why my family and I like to go to the mountains of Colorado in the fall. The weather is cooler and the aspens and other foliage are popping with bright colors.

            When I look at the bright colors of fall I can’t help but wonder why God created these leaves to be so brilliant and beautiful right before they perish. They are beautiful all summer in the prime of their existence, harvesting light to make food through photosynthesis, but yet their summer beauty does not compare to their fall beauty. That beauty comes bursting forth just as they are about to pass away. I know the scientific reason for this, but why did God design it this way?

Blueberry leaves burst a bright red in fall.

Is This the End?

          The more I ponder this question the more I think that perhaps the season of autumn can be seen as a time when the trees celebrate the end of a life giving summer. I will write about this in the future, but for now I want to look at something a bit more spiritual.

            Although, I don’t believe we can develop solid doctrine from observing nature I do believe God teaches us things through His creation. When something dies in nature something else attains life from it. This year’s leaves that fall will breakdown in the soil and become nutrients for future plants. The will give life to something else. Just as with Christ, those who follow Him will get life from His death.

Fall leaves break down in the soil to give life to something else.

New Life to Come

          Galatians 3:13 says, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us– for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.” In a way, when he hung on a tree (the cross) He was like a leaf shining as a light for all mankind before dying.

            For the follower of Christ, death is the way to glory. It is not something to be feared. For those of us who trust in Christ, the time of death is a time of our greatest glory, just as these leaves have their moment of greatest glory at the time of their passing.

The many colors and rich glory of autumn in Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

            Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life,” and those that trust in Him and only in Him for the forgiveness of their sins have nothing to fear in death. For those who follow Christ, death is their way to glory.