A few weeks ago many of us were treated to the wonders of the Northern lights again as they danced across our Scottish skies (high fives to all of you also freezing in your pyjamas in the back garden!). It was a spectacular sight to behold as the heavens really did declare the glory of God.
A couple of days ago some of us in the National Team spent the day in the beautifully autumnal forests of Perthshire, working on a project in preparation for our National Gatherings next month. The leaves were changing colour and the rich, earthy shades were everywhere against a bright blue sky. Until it rained and the grey rolled in, muting everything and dulling the vibrancy.
In both of these moments God revealed His incredible artistry in creation and I am struck by how our world has been so cleverly designed. I wonder how much God takes delight in that phenomenon in the sky that so many of us had longed to see for years. Or delights in our delight?
I was reminded that there is a season for everything, a time to grow, and a time for things to die. Often things dying can be linked to a sense of fading away, but the leaves on those trees were vibrant with colour. Their changing from green to yellow to orange or red was a process. It felt intentional. There was no subtlety to it, no fading, but a clear transition through some very distinct colours before they fell to the ground and laid a vibrant carpet for us to walk on.
I was reminded of Ecclesiastes 3:
‘There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot…’
Marion Carson, Chaplain at Glasgow City Mission, reflected a couple of years ago*:
‘It is a meditation on the rhythms of life – some that we cannot control and others that we can. Qohelet begins with things we cannot control – birth and death, planting and harvesting. However much we try to influence them, we ultimately have to go with the rhythm of God’s work in the world.’
And so as we consider the current rhythm of God’s work in the world, I wonder what you see around you?
Where are you seeing Him show up?
What are the times and seasons you are currently experiencing?
How do you feel about the things you cannot control?
In those moments for me I saw Gods fingerprints all over the skies, and the changing colours in the trees. I saw Him in the energy and colour of the Aurora, and in both the colours and bleakness of the changing weather and season.
I have also seen Him in a no less ethereal way, in the stories that people have shared for Connect, in the open and authentic testimonies that reflect God planting and harvesting all in His own time.
Matthew telling of the young adult and older gentleman encountering God in different ways. Graeme speaking of his challenges and the way God has sustained him over the years. Dave sharing of the expanding and planting of a new church location, where they prayed and trusted, and saw God make a way.
It is said that whatever we look for we will find.
Perhaps this is a reminder to invite God to adjust our lenses so we can see more of Him in the world around us.
