Golden Leaves, Crisp Temperatures, Strong Feelings


Have you noticed the changes of autumn?   One of the first signals of the season is that 
school is back in session.  School buses, homework, and PTA force families to abandon 
summer leisure for a more structured schedule.  Soon thereafter follows shortened days, 
crisp temperatures, golden leaves, football season and baseball playoffs.

Perhaps you're a football fan.  Even if you're not, it is almost impossible to not notice the 
passion generated by faithful fans.  Many family calendars are structured around "the 
season."  Game tickets are often in such demand that they're hard to come by.  Have you 
ever seen the parking lot of a major league game?  The before-the-game events begin as 
tailgaters have generated a whole lifestyle of meals and party and fellowship and new 
acquaintances. You'll see team colors and logos displayed with banners, costumes, face 
masks, and even face painting.  How faithful are the fans!

Or maybe you've been watching the baseball playoffs and World Series.  The Boston Red 
Sox, New York Yankees, Houston Astros, and St. Louis Cardinals have been in a challenge 
described by one commentator as "the fight of their professional lives—a fight to the death."  
If you've seen the games, you'll understand.  Who can forget that American League sixth 
game playoff scene with the field ringed by shoulder to shoulder police officers?  The officers 
were there in response to the display of passion by thousands of fans.  Passion in passionate 
support of their team…and strong passion against the opposing team. Feelings so strong that 
fans physically attacked opposing team players, forcing both teams to leave the playing field.

God intended for us to be happy and to enjoy life, including hobbies and sports.  However 
enjoyable this season's sports have been, as I watched the devotion and passion of the fans, 
I could not help but marvel at the level of intensity.  I wondered how the world would be 
different if that level of passionate devotion was directed at, let's say, poverty or marriages or 
education or service to others.  I wondered if our priorities are sometimes out of order.  

Matthew 22 and Mark 12 both describe what Jesus calls the greatest and most important 
command He has given—to love the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul and with 
all your mind and with all your strength.  The apostle Paul follows it up in Romans 23 with the 
admonition to "never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." 

ALL your heart, ALL your soul, ALL your mind, ALL your strength, ZEAL, FERVOR.   Sounds 
pretty passionately devoted, doesn't it!  

Enjoy the season.  As you do, be sure the Creator is first to receive your fervent devotion.



Submitted by a Northside family member