Disrobing took place on our street today as wind-stripped leaves from fig, oak, elm, walnut, and who knows what other kinds of trees, danced from one end of Maple Avenue to the other. It was a real autumn blow-down.
There are definitely other signs that summer is over: days are getting shorter; everything left in the garden, except weeds of course, is dying or dead; and now, rather than my perspiring, windows sweat profusely. As if to emphasize the transition, this weekend clocks roll back an hour.
Judging by the size of the paw imprints in the garden soil, it was a large bear that crossed our back yard last night, perhaps on its way to a winter den. The season of rest is on its way.
My first class in operating a computer involved using DOS commands. Back then I recall our instructor telling us about the revolutionary new method of data storage that was on its way - the CD disk. Not only was the computer going to speed up the process of word processing, it would open a whole new world of information. It did. Not only that, everything could be done more quickly, leaving ample time for rest and relaxation. Not so.
Like those trees and all of nature itself, the season of rest is essential if there is to be a season of fruit-bearing and harvest. Likewise, when God established a time to rest it wasn't simply because He decided we needed another rule to obey. As we set time aside for rest and renewal we will discover new seasons of blessings for ourselves and others.
"Six days you shall labour, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the ploughing season and harvest you must rest." (Exodus 34:21)
'Yes, my soul, find rest in God" (Psalm 62:5)
