The leaves on the dogwood tree in our backyard are changing their coloration.

The green is giving way to the hues of autumn. They are hinting at the seasonal change that is coming. 

At present, summer is holding on tenaciously, but it will inevitably give way to autumn. Anticipate clear blue skies, cooler temperatures and brightly colored leaves of red, gold and yellow. Thus it has been, thus it is, and thus it will be.

The Bible Book of Ecclesiastes, best known for its a time for this and that passage (3:1-8) which has been set to music (“Turn! Turn! Turn!”), says we can exert little, if any, control over these times and seasons, for they have been established by the sovereignty of God.

This can give rise to despair. On the other hand, it can give rise to hope.

I take it as saying that God is in control of things beyond our control, and that’s good to know. It gives meaning and stability to life. I’m hopeful.

Well, as I said earlier, summer is reluctant to give up its grasp, but it will eventually relinquish its hold. Nature’s signs are subtle, but they are evident. 

Autumn is on its way. So it was, so it is and so it will be.

“And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it” (3:14a, NLT). “And one thing God does is to make us have reverence for him” (3:14b, TEV). “Whatever exists today and whatever will exist in the future has already existed in the past. For God calls each event back in its turn” (3:15, LNT).

I don’t know about you, but I’m anticipating the seasonal change at which our dogwood’s leaves are hinting.