Autumn Makes Spring Possible

 

 

Scripture

Romans 6:3-4

 ³ Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴ Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. ⁵ For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.  (NRSV)

Devotion

 Today's devotion is not of my own making.  Instead, it is a link to an essay by Parker J. Palmer, called "Autumn: A Season of Paradox."  In it, Palmer does a beautiful job of exploring the link between the beautiful death that surrounds us each autumn the new life that emerges in the spring.  Palmer reflects that all that new life and new opportunities cannot break forth into being without laying to rest that which came before and had its season.  

I hope that pairing this reflection with Paul's point that those who are buried through baptism with Christ arise to new life in him can help you reflect the cycles of birth, death, and resurrection that exist in your own life and community.  How can faith in Christ help you lay certain things to rest so that new life may emerge?  And how can you show your thankfulness for what has had its season while patiently looking forward to what God has in store for you next?

Click here or follow the link below to read Palmer's work:

 https://onbeing.org/blog/autumn-a-season-of-paradox/

 

 

Prayer

 Jesus, you died and rose again to come into your glory and give us eternal life.  Help us lay to rest the things that must die so that new opportunities and new life may arrive among us.  Amen.