October is flying by, and the trees are starting to showcase a beautiful array of colors around us. Each morning when I arrive at Union, I check out the trees in front of the church building that are now starting to change color. I don't want to miss any of the spectacular color that will come over the next few weeks on the branches of those trees.
A remarkable beauty comes from the leaves, as they are essentially dying each fall. Yes, we see splendid colors of amber, gold, crimson, and scarlet as the leaves die and fall to the ground.
The beautiful colors of autumn remind me that an abundance of beauty came from Jesus' death on the cross, even though it was brutal and torturous for him. Our lives are filled with the beauty of grace and forgiveness because of Jesus' death. Each day, Jesus continues to fill our lives with beauty. Jesus fills our lives with the beauty of empathy, compassion, and love. Jesus fills our lives with the beauty of love for each other and for neighbors as well. It's a remarkable thing that such beauty comes into our lives and the lives of others through the death of Christ and the life-giving relationship we have with him daily.
This week, I encourage you to pause and take a look at some of the beautiful fall leaves around you. We you see all the beautiful color, remember that Christ fills our lives with an even more spectacular beauty every day!