Chlorophyll & Character

About two weeks ago Fall officially began. I have always felt like this is the best time of year. Of course one reason, I enjoy autumn is that it is football season. Another reason is the change of weather. You have probably noticed that the daylight hours are growing shorter, and there is a crispness in the air especially early in the morning.

As the days grow shorter and the weather becomes cooler, a phenomenon takes place in nature: the leaves on the trees change their color. The green of spring and summer gives way to red, orange, and yellow. At certain times, and in certain places, the view can be spectacular.

The reality of this is that the leaves do not really change colors. What actually occurs is that the chlorophyll in the leaves breaks down because of the cooler temperatures and decrease in sunlight. As the chlorophyll in the leaves breaks down, the green color disappears. When the green color disappears the true colors of the leaves are revealed.
There are times in our lives when our true colors are revealed. It may be in our later years – the autumn of life. It may be in the midst of change and crisis.

Sometimes people say that character is made in a crisis. Several years ago I heard a pastor named Ike Reighard say that character is not made in a crisis – it is revealed in a crisis! I agree with that! I believe character is made as we seek to follow God one step at a time. Character is often shaped in the experiences no one sees and in the choices no one else knows about.

The character of David, the shepherd boy who became Israel’s greatest king, was revealed when he stepped out to face a giant. His character was formed and shaped during the time when he was alone in the desert – just him, the sheep, and God!

I believe God wants to do more in us and through us than we can imagine. His ultimate goal is to mold us into the image of His Son! For that to happen there must be a change. By the grace of God, we are not what we used to be, and we are not yet all that we are going to be! So let’s keep moving forward one step at a time!

Yours for the Kingdom,
David