When the colors of leaves change during autumn or fall, a fire-glow radiates from each tree. Then each leaf falls to the ground as winter approaches. This turning and falling of trees have been given different symbolisms. In classic literature, autumn's symbolism is a natural dichotomy: a time of detoriation, death, and dying and a time of harvest, preparation, and maturity. Both happiness and sadness are carried by autumn which makes it more beautiful to many. Because I have not experienced autumn in full bloom, I have always dreamt of it. Like most writers, I wish to tell my story about it one day.

Whenever I see autumn in movies and pictures, I am reminded by what the Bible says about abandoning the old life and starting anew. As detoriation, death, and dying occur, harvest, preparation, and maturity come.

Detoriation, Death and Dying

Autumn reminds me of being dead to sin and being alive in in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:11). Like the color-changing leaves falling from trees, I see a person like a leaf, being set free from bondage or sin. The old life is buried and a new life begins.

Harvest, Preparation, and Maturity

Autumn is the time to reap the things we sowed and prepare for the harvest ahead. It is a time to learn from hardships in the past and blossom into a better self. As we have been made new again through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), we are given an opportunity to live a new life.

The beautiful dichotomy of autumn reminds me of the importance of truly trusting God not only in this season but in every season. We may not know when He will change each season for us but He is always in control. He said in his Word, "It is not for you to know the times or seasons, which the Father has put in his own power (Acts 1:7)." But in every good and bad season, He promised that "you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8)." He not only revives us from the dead and restores us but He gives us a beautiful eternity with Him.

During this autumn season, like the leaves of trees, let us trust God, change foliage, get rid of the past, and welcome the future seasons ahead.

(:

There are times when we find ourselves stuck in desert lands. We usually try to avoid them for they are hot and dry. We desire for cooler and greener lands because we feel uncomfortable facing the difficult challenges and trials that we experience in them. But deserts are places where we can grow stronger and become more mature. These are places where we can be grateful for what we have and hope for what is about to come.

Throughout the past two months when I was reading the Bible, God gave me beautiful verses about being in a desert. Because of these verses, I understood that being in deserts does not mean that we have to stay disheartened or depressed while in them. We have to accept our situations and learn how to adapt.

God allows us to thrive in deserts due to the following:

1. So we can get thirsty.

"O God, thou art my God; early will I seek longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is." Psalm 63:1

God is like water. God is essential to life. He allows us to be thirsty so we can seek him and find him. Then He will purify and restore us.

2. So we can trust Him.

"For the Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody." Isaiah 51:3

God allows us to remain in the wilderness so our trust can be built not in ourselves but in Him. We are allowed to bear the heat, stand firm in sandy shores, and survive with little food and water until we have used up every ability, everything else we have, and only our faith in Him is left. But He will not only allow us to undergo the trial but He will allow us to experience more of His goodness and faithfulness.

"I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water." Isaiah 41:18

God has promised fountains and rivers of blessing that will spring up in our desert lands. He has promised higher places and greener heights. He has promised us an Eden.

3. So we can receive His promises.

"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.." Isaiah 43:18-19

At times, we fail to perceive that God is doing a beautiful thing in us while we are in the desert. But during the difficulties and trials, He is molding, shaping, and enabling us to thrive. He may have let us enter hot and dry lands but He will take us out of them--baked and whole.

While in desert lands, we are not to be shaken or moved for God will go with us and even before us. He who has been with us in the desert will bring us out.

Behold, greener lands ahead..

Last Sunday was one of the best signs of summer to me. It was also one of days that reminded me how beautiful the month of March was in the past years, how beautiful it still is, and how eagerly it portrayed how summer's going to be. After having a wonderful worship and practice with the music team, we rode the taxi to UP. We passed by the beautiful trees and then THEY fell. The lovely yellow flowers of the Narra Trees were swaying with the wind. They swayed past the front rear of the taxi and I just said, "Wow."

Amazing Sunday it was. After having a great worship lead, Mom told me the front of our house is filled with lots of yellow flowers. Amaziiiiiing! As we were driving home on our street, I indeed exclaimed, "Wow! Ang ganda! (How beautiful!)" So I got the idea to take lots of pictures of it even though I was dead tired already. It took the stress away! And here they are...