It seemed the leaves changed color overnight.One morning last month I looked out the window and the redness of the leaves on a tree across the road grabbed my attention. It was cold the night before and that brought vivid, beautiful color to the leaves.
Many of us view less sunlight and colder temperatures as harsher weather, but they bring out beauty in the trees. Harsher conditions in our lives are something we don’t enjoy and seek to avoid, but they can enhance our view of the beauty of the Lord.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because the testing of your faith develops perseverance” (James 2:2-3). Testing and trials can be hard. Our first thought is often not joy and thanksgiving. But the trials can lead to growth in us and a better vision of the beauty of God’s grace and love.
Trials and harsh conditions are as inevitable as the change of seasons and the coming of fall in certain regions of the world. Sickness comes. Families face hard times. We live out the reality of Jesus’ declaration: “In this world you will have trouble.”
We give thanks that along with telling us of the inevitability of trouble, Jesus also proclaimed another certain truth: “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Because He has overcome, in Him we “may have peace” (John 16:33).
In our congregation some people have faced harsh conditions. But in the midst of it, beauty has been seen.
It was beautiful to see a number of people giving up a Saturday to help a family going through a ton of trials move to a new place. It has been beautiful to see congregation members taking others to doctor’s appointments and urgent care visits and sitting with them in waiting rooms. It is beautiful to see one part of the body of Christ lovingly making food to feed others.
When you go through difficult days try to look for the beauty. Sometimes it is right there in front of you like the tree across the street. Other times it might take a while. We trust in the promise of God and go forward in hope. The beauty of God’s grace and love will be seen.
Psalm 27:4-5 says: “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.” We give thanks that in the day of trouble God still cares for us. We are still able to gaze upon the beauty of our loving, gracious Savior.