Triggers by Sarah Berryman
There is a change in the air. Warm, muggy summer nights are fading away. Crisp fresh air dominates the days now. Mums are in their glory. Pumpkins and corn stalks are propped on doorsteps. It’s Fall! And of course, the favorite sight of most everyone is the changing color of the leaves. The maples, oaks and hickory trees can be stunning at this time of year in Central PA.
What triggers this change of color? Very simply put – the decrease of daylight and the changes in temperatures. It is interesting to read about this process and marvel at God’s design, but I want to move on to another question.
What triggers change in me? The first thing that comes to my mind is hard times. I really don’t like hard times that shake my stability and harmony! However, I have learned that those stressful, challenging times can help me refocus and re-establish my dependence on God. My perspective then changes. I have more empathy and understanding of what others are also going through. My faith deepens.
On the negative side, another factor that can trigger change in me are the times when I neglect God’s Word and time in prayer with Him. During seasons of increased busyness, I have sometimes allowed this to happen. The changes that occur then are not positive: negativity, insecurity, lack of trust in God, a distorted perspective of life.
Somewhat related to the previous trigger is another negative factor: spending too much time in worldly stuff. Spending too much time reading depressing and overwhelming news on the internet, or possibly the books or movies I am absorbing, can skew my perspective of life. Once again I am leaving God out of the picture and once again I need to return to Him! I need to make some changes.
Change can be challenging but it is necessary for us humans. The really great news is that God never changes! He is eternal and our Rock and Strong Tower, even as our circumstances change around us. We can depend on Him – always.
Revelation 1:8
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Call To Action
As you observe the glorious fall colors, consider what triggers change in you – positive and negative. Are there changes or adjustments you need to make to align your perspective with God’s perspective?
In the midst of change, we must always keep our eyes on Jesus!
