Scripture: Job 25; Mark 13-14
Mark 13: 28-31
“Take a lesson from the fig tree. From the moment you notice its buds form, the merest hint of green, you know summer’s just around the corner. And so it is with you. When you see all these things, you know he is at the door. Don’t take this lightly. I’m not just saying this for some future generation, but for this one, too—these things will happen. Sky and earth will wear out; my words won’t wear out.
Observations: Jesus patiently explains to the disciples that the subtle but easily visible changes in the world around us are similar to the subtle but easily detectable changes in people, including ourselves.
Jesus was trying to help the disciples come to an awareness of change potential.
I was in high school before I was able to fully appreciate that the seasons began precisely at particular moments based on the orbit of the planet with its tilt towards and away from the sun.
Even now, I look out my window to see trees slowly turning to acknowledge the coming of autumn. Daylight Savings Time ends early tomorrow morning. The former I can see for myself. The latter, I didn’t hear until Wednesday of this past week.
Application: Don’t get so caught up in your worry and work that you miss life. I’ve taken to sitting at my kitchen table to do my journaling, particularly when I’m writing in the morning. The sun illuminates the changes in the leaves outside the picture window, and reminds me that the Son illuminates those same changes in the people around me so that I can be timely in my conversations and efforts to grow and encourage others in their discipleship.
Prayer: Thank you, God, for the changes in the seasons. Bless me with your insights and help me to understand the power of observation so that I might be a more effective witness and leader; through Christ, Amen.
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